North Korea warned the world today there would be no softening of its position toward South Korea's government after Kim Jong Il's death.
The warning came as Pyongyang strengthened his son and heir's authority with a new title: Great Leader.
North Korea's powerful National Defence Commission said that the country would never deal with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative who stopped a no-strings-attached aid policy toward the North in 2008.
The stern message also said North Korea was uniting around Kim Jong Un, referring to him for the first time with the title Great Leader - previously used for his father - in a clear message of continuity.
It was the latest step in a growing personality cult around the son following the December 17 death of Kim Jong Il.
The younger Kim was pronounced Supreme Leader of the ruling party, military and people at a massive public gathering on the final day of official mourning for his father.
The top levels of government appear to have rallied around Kim Jong Un, who is in his late 20s, in the wake of his father's death.
Still, given his inexperience and age, there are...
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