State media released images of ranks of delegates arriving in Pyongyang North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s son, Kim Jong-un, has been appointed a general, the country’s state media say.
It comes as the country’s ruling party begins its biggest meeting in decades, amid rumours that Kim Jong-il is preparing to cement the family dynasty by anointing his son as successor.
The announcement is the first mention in the secretive state’s official media of Kim Jong-il’s third son.
The 68-year-old leader is reportedly suffering from several illnesses.
He is believed to have had a stroke two years ago, and has travelled to China for treatment on numerous occasions.
Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing have publicly commented on rumours surrounding his health.
The Workers Party meeting starts on Tuesday, with a stated aim of installing a new leadership team.
Images released by the North’s state media on Monday showed orderly lines of delegates – some wearing suits, others in military uniform – arriving in Pyongyang.
The Associated Press reported that the capital was decorated with flags and placards announcing the meeting.
One poster read: “Warm congratulations to the representatives meeting of the Workers Party of Korea.”
Kim Jong-il has nurtured a personality cult State-run news outlet KCNA reported that party delegates visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on Monday to pay respects to North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, father of Kim Jong-il.
Kim Il-sung is known as the “eternal president”, while Kim Jong-il has styled himself the “dear leader”.
Kim Jong-il’s rise to power began at the last party conference in 1980, when he was named to several important positions. He eventually became leader when his father died in 1994.
Reports from South Korea on Monday suggested that the military had nominated Kim Jong-un as a delegate for the conference.
The Chosun Ilbo newspaper quoted an unnamed North Korean source as saying a propaganda campaign had already begun to raise Kim Jong-un’s profile.
Little is known of Swiss-educated Kim Jong-un, thought to be in his mid-20s.
Rumours emerged last year from the secretive state that he was his father’s chosen successor.
Analysts say taking over his father’s job would be a huge task for someone with so little experience.
Under Kim Jong-il, the country’s isolation from the outside world has become entrenched.
Mr Kim has built up a personality cult around his family, while North Korea’s economy has all but ceased to function and its people suffer from frequent food shortages.
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