Moscow - Gleeful North Koreans took to the streets yesterday to celebrate the election of Mr Kim Jong-il as communist party chief, according to Russian reports from Pyongyang. Mr Kim, de facto leader since his father, Kim Il-sung, died in 1994, was named general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Wednesday in the first dynastic succession in the communist world.
"North Korean people continue merry-making," according to a Tass correspondent, Alexander Valiyev, who is one of the very few foreign reporters based in North Korea. "Dancing people are seen everywhere in Pyongyang", he said. "Loudspeakers are blaring music, and a lot of brass bands are playing."
Motorcades decked out with garlands of flowers were driving around the city and banners had gone up reading, "We warmly congratulate the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-il" and "We sing the highest glory to the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-il". See also page 12