North Korea

North Korean Succession

Article published on the 2009-06-02 Latest update 2009-06-02 13:21 TU

Kim Jong-il in 2005
( Photo : AFP )

Kim Jong-il inherited power from his father, Kim il-Sung. Kim Jong-il, now 67,reportedly had a stroke last August and there has been speculation as to who would succeed him in the world's only communist dynasty.

Kim reportedly named his youngest son, 26-year-old Jong-Un, who was born to the leader's third wife. Jong-Un was educated at an international school in Switzerland but little is known about his character and there is no confirmed photograph of him as an adult. Kim is believed to have nominated Jong-Un sometime between late last year and early this year.

Kim Jong-il inherited power from his father, Kim-il Sung in 1994, although the succession was announced at a party congress in 1980.

The nomination comes as North Korea appears to be preparing to test fire several medium-range missiles, according to South Korean media. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said that at least three missiles looked likely to be fired from a missile base, about 100 kilometres northeast of Seoul. However, South Korea's defence ministry could not confirm the report.

North Korea has launched a series of missiles since its second nuclear bomb test on May 25th and some analysts believe that the tests coincide with the transfer of power to Kim Jong-Un.