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North Korea Elevates Leader's Son To General
28.09.2010
North Korea's authoritarian leader Kim Jong Il, 68 years old and reported to be in poor health, has given his youngest son his first public title by promoting him to the rank of general. It marks the first time that Kim Jong Un's name has appeared in official media.
The move comes as North Korea holds what is believed to be its biggest political meeting in three decades.
A North Korean television presenter speaking on state television also announced the reinstatement of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as head of the ruling party.
"The Workers' Party meeting, which was called during a historical period with dramatic changes to build up a revolutionary and strong communist state, appointed our people and party's great leader, Kim Jong Il, as the secretary-general of the Workers' Party of Korea," the moderator said.
Regional powers are closely following the meeting, held by the ruling Workers' Party, for signs of shifts in policy by the secretive state.
The promotion of Kim Jong Un is widely seen as paving the way for an eventual succession.
Kim Jong Un is believed to have been born in 1983 or 1984. Some experts say he is too young and inexperienced to be allowed to lead the country.
State news agency KCNA reports that Kim also promoted a total of six people to the rank of general -- including his sister Kyong Hui -- in the country's army, believed to be one of the world's largest.
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