Reports: N. Korea Kim's son is named successor

[June 02, 2009]  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Kim Jong Il's youngest son -- a 26-year-old who reportedly enjoys skiing and studied English, German and French at a Swiss boarding school -- was named North Korea's next leader in an announcement to top ruling party, government and military officials, a South Korean lawmaker and newspapers said Tuesday.

The announcement naming Kim Jong Un to eventually succeed his father was sent after North Korea's May 25 nuclear test, the Hankook Ilbo newspaper reported, citing unnamed members of South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee briefed by the spy agency. However, there were no signs Kim intended to step down anytime soon.

The Dong-a Ilbo newspaper carried a similar report, and said North Korea was teaching its people a song lauding the new "Commander Kim." The paper cited unidentified sources. The National Intelligence Service said it cannot confirm the reports.

The reports about North Korea paving the way for a new leader -- the nation's third -- comes at a time of mounting tensions over North Korea's April 5 rocket launch and the May 25 underground nuclear test, and indications that the North may be preparing to test-fire medium- and long-range missiles. Global powers are discussing how to rein in Pyongyang for its nuclear defiance.

Analysts have suspected the saber-rattling is part of a campaign to build unity and support for a successor to 67-year-old Kim Jong Il, who reportedly suffered a stroke last August. Kim has three sons but had not publicly named an heir to lead the nation of 49 million.

After disappearing from the public eye for weeks last fall, Kim re-emerged to make a busy round of trips nationwide and made his first state appearance in months at the delayed opening session of the country's new legislature April 12.

Grayer and thinner, Kim limped ever so slightly as he entered parliament and was somber as he presided over a session that provided few clues to his succession plans.

He was believed to want to name a successor by 2012 -- the centenary of the birth of his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung -- and the regime undertook a massive campaign last year to gear the country up for the 100th anniversary celebrations.

The April 5 launch of what North Korea claimed was a successful bid to send a communications satellite into space was believed part of the campaign to show off the country's scientific advancements.

But in an abrupt shift in plans, the regime stepped up the pace and in early May launched a "150-day campaign" urging North Koreans to work harder to build up the country's economy.

"Before 2012, North Korea must convince the army and the public that Jong Un is the best successor," said Atsuhito Isozaki, assistant professor of North Korean politics at Tokyo's private Keio University. "To pave the way for Jong Un's leadership, it is highly likely that North Korea will turn recent nuclear and missile tests into his achievements."

Analysts said Kim's health troubles have forced the regime to move quickly to appoint a successor. Regional powers fear that Kim's sudden death without naming an heir could lead to a power struggle or vacuum that could spark chaos in the impoverished country.

"Since Kim had a stroke last year, North Korea appears to be in a hurry in naming his successor," Isozaki said.

Many believe the youngest son has the best chance of succeeding the authoritarian leader, possibly with the backing and guidance of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, a member of the all-powerful National Defense Commission who has strong military and political connections.

The eldest son, Jong Nam, 38, had long been considered the favorite to succeed his father -- until he was caught trying to enter Japan on a fake passport in 2001. He reportedly told Japanese officials he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

Kim considers the middle son, Jong Chol, too effeminate for the job, according to a Japanese sushi chef who said he served Kim Jong Il for many years.

Little is known about Jong Un, the second son of former dancer Ko Yong Hi, who died in 2004.

He studied at the International School of Berne in Switzerland in the 1990s under the pseudonym Pak Chol, learning to speak English, German and French, the Swiss weekly news magazine L'Hebdo reported earlier this year, citing classmates and school officials.

A classmate recalled him as timid and introverted but an avid skier and basketball player who was a big fan of the NBA star Michael Jordan. He was humble and friendly with the children of American diplomats, a former school director said. A car arrived every day after school to pick him up, the report said.

The sushi chef, who goes by the pen name Kenji Fujimoto, said in a 2003 memoir that Jong Un looks and acts just like his father and is the leader's favorite.

[Associated Press; By JAE-SOON CHANG]

Associated Press writer Shino Yuasa in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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