Kim's son is now North Korea's number two
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
SEOUL, Nov 8 (AFP): The heir apparent to Kim Jong-Il has been officially recognised as number two in North Korea's political system after his name was listed next to the leader for the first time, analysts said Monday.
State media Sunday mentioned Kim's youngest son Jong-Un right after his father when listing members of a state committee organising the funeral of prominent military figure Jo Myong-Rok.
The son, believed aged 27, was barely known outside the country until he was made a general and given powerful party posts in late September during the ruling communist party's biggest political gathering for 30 years. A senior official later confirmed Jong-Un's status as heir apparent to the ailing 68-year-old leader, who suffered a stroke in 2008.
State media Sunday mentioned Kim's youngest son Jong-Un right after his father when listing members of a state committee organising the funeral of prominent military figure Jo Myong-Rok.
The son, believed aged 27, was barely known outside the country until he was made a general and given powerful party posts in late September during the ruling communist party's biggest political gathering for 30 years. A senior official later confirmed Jong-Un's status as heir apparent to the ailing 68-year-old leader, who suffered a stroke in 2008.