Kim Jong Il pulling closer to close relatives

Kim Jong-il is being seen more frequently in the company of his sister Kyong-hui (63) and brother-in-law Jang Song-taek (63), reinforcing that the Stalinist country's first family is pulling close.

Left: Kim Kyong-hui (circled) is seen accompanying her brother Kim Jong-il to a textile factory. Right: Her husband Jang Song-taek (circled) is seen accompanying his brother-in-law Kim Jong-il to a road construction site.

Baek Seung-joo, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, suggests, "Since he had a stroke, Kim Jong-il has appeared to believe that he can trust only his family." 

Kim Jong-il apparently believes that his family will stand behind his third son succeeding to the leadership of the country. Heir apparent Kim Jong-un, who is in his late-20s, is considered too young to take power and thus his succession could lead to a power struggle. 

The speculation is that Kim Jong-il is appearing more in public with his sister and her husband to prevent possible controversy over the authenticity of his wishes if he dies suddenly. A source said, "There would be no controversy over the authenticity of his last wishes if two members of his family claim they have heard them."

Sister of Kim Jong-Il wielding more power in North Korea

Kim Jong-Il’s only sister appears to be wielding more power in North Korea after making a comeback to the frontline of the regime last year.

Kim Kyong-Hui, 64, was newly added to a diagram of the North’s power structure released by the South’s unification ministry after returning to the public spotlight for the first time in nearly six years.

“Since her comeback, the sister has frequently accompanied Kim Jong-Il in his field inspections,” ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-Joo said.

Kim Kyong-Hui’s husband Jang Song-Thaek has strengthened his image as the leader’s right-hand man amid speculation he will play the role of regent as the leader grooms his youngest son Jong-Un to take over.

Information is scant about Jong-Un, the second son of Kim Jong-Il’s third wife Ko Yong-Hee. Some reports say Jong-Un, born in 1983, attended an international school in the Swiss city of Berne under a pseudonym. Kenji Fujimoto, a former personal chef to Kim Jong-Il, has described the son as “a chip off the old block” who closely resembles his father physically and in terms of personality.

The Penisula