Kim Jong-un named WPK first secretary

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was elected as first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at a party conference here Wednesday, official news agency KCNA reported.

Kim Jong-un (2nd L) talks with military personnel in front of a monument commemorating Kim Il-sung, founder of the North, at an undisclosed location in this undated picture released by the DPRK's KCNA in Pyongyang April 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The election of Kim Jong-un is in line with the will of late leader Kim Jong-il, who was venerated as eternal general secretary of the WPK during the conference, according to the KCNA.

Kim Jong-un's election also reflects "the unanimous wishes of all the party members, servicepersons and all other people," said the KCNA.

All the participants paid the highest tribute and extended the warmest congratulations to him, chanting "Hurrah!" with immense excitement, joy and profound respect, it added.

They also vowed to follow the instructions of Kim Jong-il and the leadership of Kim Jong-un to push forward the development of their country.

Slogans in the streets of the capital hailed the conference, the fourth of its kind in the WPK's history, as a historic assembly "powerfully demonstrating the revolutionary will of the people to accomplish the songun (military-first) revolutionary cause under the leadership of Kim Jong-un."

During the third party conference, held September 28, 2010, Kim Jong-il was re-elected as the party's general secretary and Kim Jong-un was appointed vice chairman of the party' s Central Military Commission.