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N. Korea’s Kim sings, plays guitar to workers: report

January 15, 2016
North Korea Chic? (Korea Times file)

Analysts believe the North is trying to instill loyalty among North Koreans ahead of a major party meeting in May by showing softening up Kim Jong-un’s image. (Korea Times file)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sang to workers as he played the guitar, the country’s state media reported Friday, apparently trying to build a friendly image for the leader.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the North’s ruling Worker’s Party, said Kim called on workers to sing with him as he sang his favorite song to the accompaniment of his own guitar playing.

It did not say when or where the incident took place, except to say Kim was taking a short break during a hot summer one year.

Kim reportedly took part in a production of the musical “Grease” during his school years in Switzerland and created the all-female band Moranbong after taking power, but it is unusual for the North to report on his guitar playing.

Kim’s brother, Jong-chol, is known to be a fan of British guitarist Eric Clapton.

Analysts believe the North is trying to instill loyalty among North Koreans ahead of a major party meeting in May by showing his approachable side.