Mick Hartley

Talk about a seamless transition: the Dear Leader's embalming fluid is barely cold and already his son and successor, the Supreme Commader, is off and about on his visits. To a New Year's concert:

Supreme leader Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, enjoyed 2012 New Year’s concert “The Cause of the Sun Will Be Immortal” given by the Unhasu Orchestra on the occasion of the New Year.

Among the audience were senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Ri Yong Mu, O Kuk Ryol, Kang Sok Ju, Pyon Yong Rip, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Rak Hui, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ju Kyu Chang, U Tong Chuk and Kim Chang Sop, and officials of Party and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national agencies and those in the fields of science, education, culture and the arts, public health and the media and KPA service personnel.

Kim Jong Un warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the audience extending their New Year’s greetings to him, and congratulated them on the New Year.

After the playing of the “Patriotic Song”, the audience observed a moment’s silence in the humblest reverence in memory of Kim Jong Il.

Put  on  the  stage  were   such   colourful  numbers   as  female  trio  and  chorus  “Cantata  to  Comrade Kim Jong Il”, female trio and female pangchang “Song of Best Wishes”, a classic masterpiece, male duet and male pangchang “We Long for You, General”, female solo and pangchang “Thought of Love”, orchestral music and chorus “On the Road of Struggle Following the General”, narration and orchestral music “Korea Has Risen up” and others.

The concert ended with chorus “Song of General Kim Jong Il”, an immortal revolutionary hymn.

An evening to remember.

He also managed a visit to Seoul Ryu Kyong Su 105 Guards Tank Division:

Pleased to hear how the heating facilities and solar heat equipment associated with the loving care of leader Kim Jong Il are being used in the bedroom and bathroom, he personally took the temperature of the room and water.

Then he felt a bit peckish. "Your lunch, Comrade Supreme Commander":