Son of Kim Jong Il secures position with key North Korea army post

The son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was given more titles today, cementing his position as the country's heir apparent.

Kim Jong Un, 27, was named a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, which directs the 1.2 million-strong army.

He also won a place on the Central Committee, which oversees the powerful Political Bureau and Secretariat, and is the party's top decision-making body. Yesterday he was promoted to four-star general.

He is well on the path to succeed the supreme leader at the helm of the nuclear-armed nation and carry the family dynasty into a third generation.

Kim Jong Il took over in 1994 upon the death of his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. The 68-year-old reportedly suffered a stroke in August 2008. His sudden death without a leadership plan in place could spark chaos in the nation of 24 million that he rules under a "military-first" policy.

Noticeably thinner and greyer, he is said to be suffering from diabetes and kidney trouble.
He also elevated his sister and her husband. Kim Kyong Hui, 64, was given a new post as a member of the Political Bureau.

"There is a possibility that she could play the role of a co-ordinator to make sure the succession goes smoothly," said analyst Cheong Seong-chang, of the Sejong Institute think tank.