This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8081500.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| On the tracks of 'Kim's successor' | On the tracks of 'Kim's successor' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| So little is known about Kim Jong-un - the youngest son and reportedly the named successor of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il - that even his date of birth is uncertain: no-one is really sure whether he was born in 1983 or 1984. | So little is known about Kim Jong-un - the youngest son and reportedly the named successor of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il - that even his date of birth is uncertain: no-one is really sure whether he was born in 1983 or 1984. |
| But it is known that the third Kim, like his two elder brothers, was sent to school in Switzerland. The BBC's Imogen Foulkes reports on the young Kim's school days, and the unusually close relationship between Switzerland and North Korea. | But it is known that the third Kim, like his two elder brothers, was sent to school in Switzerland. The BBC's Imogen Foulkes reports on the young Kim's school days, and the unusually close relationship between Switzerland and North Korea. |
| Reports claim Kim Jon-un has been chosen as the North's next leader | Reports claim Kim Jon-un has been chosen as the North's next leader |
| Kim Jong-un attended Berne's international school, where, it is rumoured, he joined school skiing outings, and was something of a peacemaker in playground disputes. | Kim Jong-un attended Berne's international school, where, it is rumoured, he joined school skiing outings, and was something of a peacemaker in playground disputes. |
| He arrived every day in a chauffeur driven car from the North Korean embassy, which is just around the corner from the school. | He arrived every day in a chauffeur driven car from the North Korean embassy, which is just around the corner from the school. |
| But, since Jong-un went under an assumed name, none of his classmates knew his true identity. | But, since Jong-un went under an assumed name, none of his classmates knew his true identity. |
| He is said to have been closely supervised by embassy officials - but he also apparently speaks Swiss German - and since the language of the international school is English, that indicates that the young Kim did spend some time socialising. | He is said to have been closely supervised by embassy officials - but he also apparently speaks Swiss German - and since the language of the international school is English, that indicates that the young Kim did spend some time socialising. |
| The choice of a Swiss education for North Korea's future leader may not be a coincidence. | The choice of a Swiss education for North Korea's future leader may not be a coincidence. |
| North Korea's ambassador to Switzerland has been in his post for more than 20 years and North Korea watchers regard Ri Tcheul as extremely powerful, enjoying the confidence of Kim Jong-il. | North Korea's ambassador to Switzerland has been in his post for more than 20 years and North Korea watchers regard Ri Tcheul as extremely powerful, enjoying the confidence of Kim Jong-il. |
| Studying cheese | Studying cheese |
| Switzerland has surprisingly close ties with North Korea. | Switzerland has surprisingly close ties with North Korea. |
| During the famine of the 1990's the Swiss launched a substantial humanitarian relief operation, which, almost alone among foreign aid projects, was subsequently transformed into a long-term development programme. | During the famine of the 1990's the Swiss launched a substantial humanitarian relief operation, which, almost alone among foreign aid projects, was subsequently transformed into a long-term development programme. |
| In 2003 Switzerland's foreign minister was the first foreign government official to cross the demarcation line between North and South Korea. | In 2003 Switzerland's foreign minister was the first foreign government official to cross the demarcation line between North and South Korea. |
| At the time she offered Switzerland's services as a mediator between the two Koreas. | At the time she offered Switzerland's services as a mediator between the two Koreas. |
| And every year North Korean officials come to Switzerland, ostensibly to study the Swiss federal system - the most recent visit was in February. | And every year North Korean officials come to Switzerland, ostensibly to study the Swiss federal system - the most recent visit was in February. |
| North Korean agricultural specialists regularly spend time here studying the Swiss art of making cheese and yoghurt, which Kim Jong-il is said to love. | North Korean agricultural specialists regularly spend time here studying the Swiss art of making cheese and yoghurt, which Kim Jong-il is said to love. |
| But recently, there are signs that warm relationship may be cooling. | But recently, there are signs that warm relationship may be cooling. |
| The two biggest Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, stung by allegations that Kim Jong-il was storing billions in Switzerland, announced in 2006 that they were cutting ties with North Korea. | The two biggest Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, stung by allegations that Kim Jong-il was storing billions in Switzerland, announced in 2006 that they were cutting ties with North Korea. |
| Meanwhile, Switzerland's development programme is set to end in 2011, amid rumours Swiss financial aid was going not to North Korean farms, but into the coffers of the government in Pyongyang. | Meanwhile, Switzerland's development programme is set to end in 2011, amid rumours Swiss financial aid was going not to North Korean farms, but into the coffers of the government in Pyongyang. |
| Did you attend Berne's international school? Do you think you were there around the same time? Send us your comments using the form below: | |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |