SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il`s poor health is driving him to speed up preparations for the transfer of power to his youngest son Kim Jong-Un, South Korea`s spy chief says.
Won Sei-Hoon, National Intelligence Service (NIS) director, told parliament Thursday that Jong-Un is taking a greater role in policy-making and accompanying his father on inspection tours frequently.
Won was speaking to a closed session of the intelligence committee. His remarks, as relayed by legislators, were quoted in local media Friday and confirmed to AFP by a legislative aide.
An NIS spokesman declined to confirm Won`s quoted remarks.
"North Korea is making efforts to establish a system for hereditary sucession at an early date," Won was quoted as saying.
"Kim Jong-Un has been expanding involvement in policy-making decisions, frequently accompanies the father on field guidance tours."
North Korea is now propagating poems and songs glorifying the son and holding public contests for their recital, he said.
Succession speculation has intensified since Kim senior, now 68, suffered a stroke in August 2008. He has recovered enough to return to his work.
"Because of the stroke, the movement of his left leg and left arm is still unnatural," Won said.
Kim senior also recently resumed drinking alcohol and smoking, which would add risk factors to his health problems, the intelligence chief was quoted as saying.
Professor Kim Yong-Hyun of Dongguk Unviersity said the North is stepping up efforts to lay a firm foundation for a smooth succession.
"Even though Kim Jong-Il has recoverd from the stroke, uncertainties surrounding his health problems still exist, compelling the senior Kim to hasten preparations for a hereditary succession," he told AFP.
"In order to prepare for a hereditary succession, Jang Song-Thaek was brought into the National Defence Commission," he said.
A reshuffle announced June 8 was widely seen as paving the way for the eventual succession.
Kim`s brother-in-law Jang Song-Thaek, who acts as mentor to Jong-Un, was appointed as a vice-chairman of the top decision-making body, the National Defence Commission.
"In the course of succession, there will not be much confusion as the son is backed by Jang Song-Thaek and the National Defence Commission," said Professor Kim Yeon-Chul of Inje University in Pusan.
BDST:1232 HRS, June 25 2010
DC
