Kim's son steps into the limelight
Source: Agencies |
October 1, 2010, Friday
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A PHOTOGRAPH of a plump, poker-faced young man seated near North Korea's leader confirmed the rise of Kim Jong il's youngest son as the country's leader-in-waiting.
Kim Jong un was this week appointed to senior political and military posts in North Korea.
The photograph is the first picture since the anointment of the 20-something third son of Kim Jong il, about whom little is known other than he was educated in Switzerland.
The only previously known pictures of him date back to his childhood.
The official group photograph of dozens of military and civilian officials showed the young man seated in a prominent position, two places to the right of Kim Jong il, in the front row.
The picture was taken in front of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the former official residence of Jong un's grandfather and founder of the North Korean state Kim Il sung - to whom the young man bears a resemblance.
After months of speculation, the young Kim was this week made second in command to his father at the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission.
The young Kim, whose existence has been a secret even in North Korea until this week, was also made a four-star general in one of the world's largest armies. He was also appointed a Central Committee member at the biggest political meeting in the state for 30 years.
Rising with him were Kim Jong Il's sister and her husband.
Kim Jong il, 68, is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, although it was difficult to assess his health from the latest photograph. He was reappointed as secretary-general of the Workers' Party.
Kim Jong un was this week appointed to senior political and military posts in North Korea.
The photograph is the first picture since the anointment of the 20-something third son of Kim Jong il, about whom little is known other than he was educated in Switzerland.
The only previously known pictures of him date back to his childhood.
The official group photograph of dozens of military and civilian officials showed the young man seated in a prominent position, two places to the right of Kim Jong il, in the front row.
The picture was taken in front of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the former official residence of Jong un's grandfather and founder of the North Korean state Kim Il sung - to whom the young man bears a resemblance.
After months of speculation, the young Kim was this week made second in command to his father at the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission.
The young Kim, whose existence has been a secret even in North Korea until this week, was also made a four-star general in one of the world's largest armies. He was also appointed a Central Committee member at the biggest political meeting in the state for 30 years.
Rising with him were Kim Jong Il's sister and her husband.
Kim Jong il, 68, is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, although it was difficult to assess his health from the latest photograph. He was reappointed as secretary-general of the Workers' Party.
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