North Korea's Leadership Succession Becomes Clearer

Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visits the Victorious Battle of Pochonbo Memorial Tower in Hyesan, Yanggang Province. Accompanying him are Jang Song-taek, his brother-in-law and administration director of the North Korean Workers Party (left) and Ri Je-gang, the first deputy director of the Workers Party's Organization and Guidance Department, who died in a mysterious car accident last week. /[North] Korean Central News Agency-Yonhap

Dear Leader Prepares The Way For Son’s Succession With Cadre Spring-Clean -- Times Online

North Korea’s “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il appointed his brother-in-law as his deputy yesterday in the latest sign that he is consolidating his family’s grip on the world’s only hereditary communist dictatorship.

Chang Sung Taek was appointed vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, the country’s most powerful state institution. Mr Chang is believed to be close to the Dear Leader’s youngest son, Kim Jong Un, who is emerging as the most likely successor to his ailing 68-year-old father.

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More News On North Korea's Leadership Succession

Kim's son seems certain to inherit power: analysts -- AFP
North Korea leadership changes strong on family ties -- CNN
Kim Jong-il makes brother-in-law his deputy -- ABC News (Australia)
Kim Jong-il's Brother-in-Law Cements Favored Position -- Chosun Ilbo
Reshuffle Promotes Family Member of North Korean Leader -- Voice of America
North Korea sacks PM to counter rising public anger -- The Age
North Korea: New clues about who will replace Kim Jong-il -- Christian Science Monitor
US baffled by Pyongyang's political reshuffle -- AFP
Experts analyze N. Korean appointments -- UPI
Rare photos of Kim Jong-il's youngest son, Kim Jong-un, released -- The Telegraph
News agency: new photos of N.Korean heir apparent -- AFP
Kim Jong-il's son denies plan to defect -- ABC News (Australia)
North Korean leader's son denies plans to defect as uncle is promoted -- The Guardian