Kim Jong-un on his path to power

Despite the international spotlight on Kim Jong-un, little is known about the heir-apparent, except for scraps of facts such as that the junior Kim is 25-years-old, graduated from an exclusive international school in Switzerland and enjoys basketball and skiing.

North Korea has kept the youngest Kim shrouded under a veil of secrecy, and what bits of information available comes from government sources and the testimony of Kenji Fujimoto, Kim Jong-il`s former chef.

The photos of the junior Kim circulating on the internet are outdated and show the youngest Kim as a little boy.



Kim Jong-il`s youngest son, he was mothered by the North Korean leader`s third wife, Ko Yong-hi in 1984. Ko died of breast cancer aged 51 in 2004.

Of Kim Jong-un`s two elder brothers, the eldest Kim Jong-nam was born to Song Hye-rim, who was not formally recognized as Kim Jong-il`s wife and was therefore long before dismissed as the successor to the North Korean regime.

The middle son Jong-chul was also born to Ko, but is said to be of weak character and consequently fell out with his father, according to Fujimoto.

The youngest Kim is said to most resemble Kim Jong-il in both physique and personality, Fujimoto and other sources have noted.

Kim Jong-un reportedly has a strong sense of authority and manifested an intense desire for power early on. Also, like his father, he is said to suffer from diabetes.

The junior Kim currently holds a mid-level position in the National Defense Commission, a branch of the North Korean Military.

"He is expected to be appointed to a high-level seat soon," according to Cheong Seong-chang, Seong-chang, direoctor of the Inter-Korean Relations Studies Program at Sejong Institute.

The official appointment of Kim as successor also may come as early as October, Cheong said, when the Workers` Party celebrates its foundation.

By Kim Ji-hyun



(jemmie@heraldm.com)