Japan’s Kyodo News Agency reported on Tuesday that the best known song of idolization for Kim Jong Eun, “Footsteps,” was played for the first time at an official public event during a recent synchronized swimming performance in Pyongyang.
The event was held in celebration of Kim Jong Il’s birthday, attended by foreign diplomats and representatives. Kyodo said the event was the first time ‘Footsteps’ has been played at an event with a foreign audience.
The Pyongyang residents in attendance reacted with thunderous applause upon hearing the song, which makes numerous lyrical references to ‘Captain Kim’.
Professor Yoo Ho Yeol of Korea University described the presence of “Footsteps” on the score as an attempt to give the idolization of Kim Jong Eun a boost.
Professor Yoo explained to The Daily NK, “The fact that this song was played at an official event for foreign dignitaries tells me that it’s an attempt to announce Kim as the successor and to improve his stature in the eyes of the world.”
The performance was held at Changgwangwon Swimming Centre in Pyongyang, attended by dignitaries said to have included Deputy Prime Minister Lee Tae Nam, Chosun Social Democratic Party chairman Kim Young Dae and Minister for Sports Park Myung Cheol.
