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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| N Korea 'names Kim's successor' | N Korea 'names Kim's successor' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il has designated his youngest son to be the country's next leader, according to reports in South Korean media. | North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il has designated his youngest son to be the country's next leader, according to reports in South Korean media. |
| Two newspapers and an opposition lawmaker said South Korea's spy agency had briefed legislators on the move. | Two newspapers and an opposition lawmaker said South Korea's spy agency had briefed legislators on the move. |
| North Korean officials were reportedly told to support Kim Jong-un after the North's 25 May nuclear test. | North Korean officials were reportedly told to support Kim Jong-un after the North's 25 May nuclear test. |
| There has been much speculation over who would follow Mr Kim, who is thought to have suffered a stroke last year. | There has been much speculation over who would follow Mr Kim, who is thought to have suffered a stroke last year. |
| Analysts have said the North's recent military actions, including last week's nuclear test, may have been aimed at helping Mr Kim solidify power so that he could name a successor. | Analysts have said the North's recent military actions, including last week's nuclear test, may have been aimed at helping Mr Kim solidify power so that he could name a successor. |
| Little known | Little known |
| The reports in the Hankook Ilbo and Dong-a Ilbo newspapers quoted unnamed members of South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee briefed by the National Intelligence Service, although the spy agency refused to confirm the reports. | The reports in the Hankook Ilbo and Dong-a Ilbo newspapers quoted unnamed members of South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee briefed by the National Intelligence Service, although the spy agency refused to confirm the reports. |
| The Associated Press news agency reported that opposition legislator Park Jie-won, a member of the parliament's intelligence committee, told local radio he had been briefed by the government on the North's move. | The Associated Press news agency reported that opposition legislator Park Jie-won, a member of the parliament's intelligence committee, told local radio he had been briefed by the government on the North's move. |
| Mr Park said the regime is "pledging allegiance to Kim Jong-un", it reported. | Mr Park said the regime is "pledging allegiance to Kim Jong-un", it reported. |
| Little is known about Kim Jong-il's youngest son, who is thought to have been born in 1983 or early 1984. | Little is known about Kim Jong-il's youngest son, who is thought to have been born in 1983 or early 1984. |
| The Dong-a Ilbo added that the North is teaching its people a song lauding Kim Jong-un - who reportedly enjoys skiing and studied English, German and French at a Swiss school. | The Dong-a Ilbo added that the North is teaching its people a song lauding Kim Jong-un - who reportedly enjoys skiing and studied English, German and French at a Swiss school. |
| Nuclear concern | |
| There is no confirmed photograph of him as an adult. | There is no confirmed photograph of him as an adult. |
| Questions have also been raised over whether his late mother, a Japanese-born professional dancer called Ko Yong-hui, was Kim Jong-il's official wife or mistress. | Questions have also been raised over whether his late mother, a Japanese-born professional dancer called Ko Yong-hui, was Kim Jong-il's official wife or mistress. |
| The youngest Kim has been reported as being the son who most resembles his father. | The youngest Kim has been reported as being the son who most resembles his father. |
| The BBC's correspondent, Chris Hogg, says it is not the first time there has been speculation that the youngest son was being groomed to succeed his father. | The BBC's correspondent, Chris Hogg, says it is not the first time there has been speculation that the youngest son was being groomed to succeed his father. |
| There were reports he had been named as his successor in January. In April the South Korean newsagency, Yonhap, said he had joined the North's powerful National Defence Commission. | There were reports he had been named as his successor in January. In April the South Korean newsagency, Yonhap, said he had joined the North's powerful National Defence Commission. |
| Our correspondent notes that in a society that values seniority his youth could be a problem. | Our correspondent notes that in a society that values seniority his youth could be a problem. |
| Who will eventually rule the nuclear-armed North has been the focus of intense media speculation since leader Mr Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke last August. | Who will eventually rule the nuclear-armed North has been the focus of intense media speculation since leader Mr Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke last August. |
| The last succession was settled 20 years before the death of the Great Leader Kim Il-sung in 1994, and publicly announced at a party congress in 1980. | The last succession was settled 20 years before the death of the Great Leader Kim Il-sung in 1994, and publicly announced at a party congress in 1980. |
| The reports of the naming of the next leader come amid growing international concern over the North's nuclear programme and its recent missile tests. | The reports of the naming of the next leader come amid growing international concern over the North's nuclear programme and its recent missile tests. |
| South Korea has deployed a high-speed patrol boat armed with missiles to its disputed western maritime border with the North. | South Korea has deployed a high-speed patrol boat armed with missiles to its disputed western maritime border with the North. |
| It follows reports that the North has moved a long-range missile to a launch site on the west coast. | It follows reports that the North has moved a long-range missile to a launch site on the west coast. |
| Meanwhile, at the end of a two-day summit, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and leaders from the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) condemned North Korea's recent nuclear test and missile launches. | Meanwhile, at the end of a two-day summit, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and leaders from the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) condemned North Korea's recent nuclear test and missile launches. |