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North Korea leadership: Kim Jong-un's uncle in TV clue | North Korea leadership: Kim Jong-un's uncle in TV clue |
(40 minutes later) | |
Kim Jong-un's uncle has been pictured standing at the North Korea leader's side in military uniform, suggesting a key position in the hierarchy. | Kim Jong-un's uncle has been pictured standing at the North Korea leader's side in military uniform, suggesting a key position in the hierarchy. |
Chang Song-taek had been expected to play a major part in smoothing the transfer of power to Kim Jong-un from his father, Kim Jong-il. | Chang Song-taek had been expected to play a major part in smoothing the transfer of power to Kim Jong-un from his father, Kim Jong-il. |
It is believed to be the first picture of Mr Chang in uniform. He has been more closely associated with the party. | It is believed to be the first picture of Mr Chang in uniform. He has been more closely associated with the party. |
North Korea is trying to carry on the world's only Communist family dynasty. | North Korea is trying to carry on the world's only Communist family dynasty. |
Kim Jong-il, who inherited power from his father in 1994, died last weekend. | Kim Jong-il, who inherited power from his father in 1994, died last weekend. |
His son Kim Jong-un is a political novice, thought to be in his late 20s. | His son Kim Jong-un is a political novice, thought to be in his late 20s. |
'Military first' | 'Military first' |
Analysts say senior figures such as Mr Chang will be crucial to making the transition of power successful. | Analysts say senior figures such as Mr Chang will be crucial to making the transition of power successful. |
State media has already begun bolstering the role of Kim Jong-un, calling him the "great successor". | |
Media now also refer to the younger Kim as the supreme commander of the armed forces. | |
State television footage showed Mr Chang standing at Kim Jong-un's side as he paid respects before Kim Jong-il's body lying in state at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. | State television footage showed Mr Chang standing at Kim Jong-un's side as he paid respects before Kim Jong-il's body lying in state at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. |
Mr Chang, who is married to Kim Jong-il's sister, was once purged for "re-education". | Mr Chang, who is married to Kim Jong-il's sister, was once purged for "re-education". |
But in recent years he has been installed in several key roles in the hierarchy. | But in recent years he has been installed in several key roles in the hierarchy. |
However, he is normally pictured in business suits and was thought to be a civilian party official rather than a military figure. | However, he is normally pictured in business suits and was thought to be a civilian party official rather than a military figure. |
North Korea's military is one of the world's biggest, and has more than one million personnel. | North Korea's military is one of the world's biggest, and has more than one million personnel. |
Under Kim Jong-il the government followed a "military-first" policy that prioritised the military's role in the country's power structure. | Under Kim Jong-il the government followed a "military-first" policy that prioritised the military's role in the country's power structure. |
Meanwhile, North Koreans are continuing lavish displays of mourning to Kim Jong-il. | Meanwhile, North Koreans are continuing lavish displays of mourning to Kim Jong-il. |
And North Korean state media has renewed attacks on South Korea for apparently blocking its citizens from travelling north to join in the mourning. | And North Korean state media has renewed attacks on South Korea for apparently blocking its citizens from travelling north to join in the mourning. |
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