Kim Jong Il prepares for succession

The North Korean leader has promoted his brother-in-law, in an indication he is preparing for his eventual departure.

A video grab of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il participating in the 12th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang.

SEOUL // North Korean strongman Kim Jong Il is officially back on centre stage following a reported stroke, but has promoted a trusted in-law to the spotlight in the clearest sign yet he is making preparations for an eventual successor, analysts said. Though looking thinner and greyer, and limping slightly, Mr Jong Il's appearance at the closely watched first session of the North's new parliament on Thursday was more than enough to lay to rest any lingering doubts about his health, and prove he is in charge. Mr Kim appointed his brother-in-law Jang Song Thaek to the all-powerful National Defence Commission, providing analysts with clues about what the future may hold for North Korea after Mr Kim either dies or becomes incapacitated. The appointment shows Mr Kim is trying to prepare for his eventual departure and pave the way to hand power to one of his sons, analysts said yesterday, just as he himself inherited the mantle from his late father, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung.

"In a system like North Korea, there is nobody else to trust but one's own flesh and blood," said Koh Yu-hwan, a professor at Seoul's Dongguk University. "Jang is expected to play a decisive role in strengthening Kim's rule and as a guardian of Kim's successor." Mr Song Thaek, 63, is married to Mr Kim's younger sister. He has been considered the person most likely to lead a collective leadership that would probably emerge if Mr Kim leaves the scene, as no single person is yet believed poised to take over. Mr Kim has three known sons with two different mothers, and Mr Jang is believed to back Mr Kim's youngest son, 26-year-old Jong Un, as successor.

* AP