*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from December 29, 2011-January 4, 2012.

  
December 2011
29 A national memorial service for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is held in Pyongyang with the participation of Kim Jong-un, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Workers' Party of (North) Korea (WPK), and about 100,000 Pyongyang citizens.

   30 North Korea's "Hero" title is awarded to the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

   30 Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), meets with the condolence delegation of the General Association of Korean residents in Japan.

   30 North Korea's State Stamp Bureau issues new stamps carrying pictures of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

   30 North Korea's National Defense Commission (NDC) issues a statement vowing to no longer deal with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's government.

   30 North Korean news media report leader Kim Jong-un is inducted as the supreme commander of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee.

   31 The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of (North) Korea in charge of inter-Korean affairs releases a statement accusing South Korean President Lee Myung-bak of deterring ordinary South Koreans from making condolence trips to the North over the death of Kim Jong-il.

   31 The Central Committee of the WPK and the party's CMC release joint calls on the centenary of the birth of former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung.

   31 The KCNA says commemorative coins will be issued in North Korea on the 20th anniversary of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's designation as supreme commander of the KPA.

   31 The KCNA says the Pyongyang Textile Mill was renamed Kim Jong-suk Pyongyang Textile Mill.

   31 Chinese President Hu Jintao sends a congratulatory message to Kim Jong-un for being named supreme commander of the KPA.

  
January 2012
1 In a New Year's joint editorial released by the Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi, North Korea called on its citizens to pledge allegiance to its new leader Kim Jong-un.

   1 New North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the Seoul Ryu Kyong-su 105 Guards Tank Division of the KPA, his first official activity after being declared supreme commander of the KPA.

   1 Kim Jong-un visits the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang where his grandfather Kim Il-sung and father Kim Jong-il lie in state.

   2 A rally takes place in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, to vow allegiance to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

   2 Kim Jong-un enjoys a concert for the 2012 New Year staged by the Unhasu Orchestra.

   3 A delegation of the Academy of Agricultural Science led by its President Kye Yong-sam leaves Pyongyang to take part in the event to mark the 30th anniversary of Kim Il-sung Institute of Agricultural Science in Guinea.

   3 The third commodity exhibition is opened at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1.

   3 A mass rally in Pyongyang is held at Kim Il-sung Square to pledge loyalty to Kim Jong-un.

   4 Mass rallies take place in the provinces of South Phyongan, Jagang, North Hwanghae and Kangwon, and Nampho City to vow allegiance to new North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

   4 A rally of youth in Pyongyang is held to pledge loyalty to Kim Jong-un with Choe Ryong-hae, secretary of the WPK, in attendance.

   4 Jon Yong-jin is appointed as North Korean ambassador to Cuba.

  (END)