The youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is expected to join the communist party leadership at an upcoming meeting, paving the way for his eventual succession, a report said yesterday.
Japan’s Kyodo news agency said Kim Jong-un is expected to be elected as a member of the ruling party’s central committee at a meeting of key party delegates next month.
The agency, in a report from Beijing and Pyongyang, said Kim Jong-un is also expected to become a member of the party’s political bureau presidium at a central committee general meeting to be held soon after the delegates meet.
Kyodo, quoting informed sources, said the party is expected to convene a congress in 2012 at which Kim Jong-un would be officially appointed as successor.
The 68-year-old leader, who suffered a stroke in August 2008, is widely reported to be grooming Kim Jong-un, his third son, to take over eventually.
Kim Jong-il, who among his other titles is party general secretary, is currently the only member of its political bureau presidium.
North Korea in June announced plans for the delegates’ meeting, which will be only the third since the communist state was founded in 1948.
It is seen as the most important party event since 1980, when a convention of all party members made public Kim Jong-il’s status as Kim Il-sung’s eventual successor.
Analysts have previously said next month’s meeting, for which no date has been announced, will probably designate Kim Jong-un as next leader.
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