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Kim Jong-Il's successor given new title

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-13 11:02

SEOUL: The youngest son of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s leader has been given the title of "Brilliant Comrade", a newspaper reported on Friday, a sign that Pyongyang is preparing to name him as successor to Kim Jong-Il.

Related readings:  Kim Jong-il 'taps 3rd son as successor'

US and Republic of Korea (ROK) intelligence authorities disclosed during a meeting this week that 26-year-old Kim Jong-Un is now being referred to as "Yongmyong-han Dongji", which translates roughly as "Brilliant Comrade", ROK's mass-circulation JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported.

Earlier this week, DPRK's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in an editorial that an important issue concerning the nation's fate and its revolution had been resolved. Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute think tank outside Seoul said this was an apparent reference to a power transfer. "It indicates that North Korea (DPRK) has resolved the succession issue," he said.

Wage hike ruled out

ROK firms at an inter-Korean industrial estate on Friday rejected DPRK's demands for huge rent and wage increases, saying they threaten the future of the reconciliation project.

The 106 firms at the Kaesong industrial estate said in a joint statement that they would not accept a "unilateral" demand made by DPRK in breach of a contract endorsed by both governments, and called for Seoul's help.

AP-AFP