a possibly unprecedented crowd of foreign journalists and other guests.

North Korea also is elevating Kim Jong-un, who has been firmly in power since his father, Kim Jong-il, died in December last year.

He was named first secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party at a conference on Wednesday, a new top title that allowed the party to grant Kim Jong-il the posthumous title of “eternal general secretary.” Though he already is considered supreme commander of the armed forces, Kim Jong-un is expected to gain other new titles formalizing his position as “supreme leader,” possibly including his father’s title of chairman of the National Defense Commission.

Revised party rules now refer to Kim Jong-il as suryong — a title meaning “leader” previously reserved for Kim Il-sung. During his rule, Kim Jong-il wasreferred to as ryongdoja, another title meaning “leader.”

The elevation of Kim Jong-il to his father’s status provides a glimpse into how North Korea will handle the nation’s second hereditary succession and indicates he will be honored much in the same way father Kim Il-sung was made “eternal president” following his 1994 death.

Footage aired on state TV yesterday showed Kim Jong-un seated at the front of the conference with white statues of his grandfather and a new statue of his father in his trademark khaki work ensemble, one arm on his hip. On Mansu Hill, once the domain of a huge bronze statue of Kim Il-sung, a second covered statue awaits its unveiling.