North Korea's Leader Makes Son Four Star General
- 14 years ago
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il isn't stepping down from his post just yet. He has named his son as a four star military general... before he becomes the country's next leader.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has promoted his youngest son to military general, hours before the start of a rare party meeting in Pyongyang.
The move is seen by many analysts as the first stage of a dynastic succession plan, which will see son Kim Jong-un eventually take over the leadership.
Not much is known about Kim's youngest son, except that he is thought to be in his twenties, educated in Switzerland, and said to be his father's favorite son.
The developments closely mirror the last power transition, when Kim Jong-il embarked on a path to succeed his father, taking on a Workers' Party title at the last party meeting, three decades ago.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is not expected to go into retirement just yet, despite his declining health, as experts say his son is too young and inexperienced to take over now.
The announcement also coincided with a ceremony in South Korea, marking the 60th anniversary of the recapture of Seoul, after an invasion from the North.
The two Koreas are still technically at war, since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce without a treaty.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has promoted his youngest son to military general, hours before the start of a rare party meeting in Pyongyang.
The move is seen by many analysts as the first stage of a dynastic succession plan, which will see son Kim Jong-un eventually take over the leadership.
Not much is known about Kim's youngest son, except that he is thought to be in his twenties, educated in Switzerland, and said to be his father's favorite son.
The developments closely mirror the last power transition, when Kim Jong-il embarked on a path to succeed his father, taking on a Workers' Party title at the last party meeting, three decades ago.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is not expected to go into retirement just yet, despite his declining health, as experts say his son is too young and inexperienced to take over now.
The announcement also coincided with a ceremony in South Korea, marking the 60th anniversary of the recapture of Seoul, after an invasion from the North.
The two Koreas are still technically at war, since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce without a treaty.