Seoul (The Korea Herald/ANN) - Children of
the current and former North Korean power elite have secured key posts in the
communist state's military and party as part of the power succession to young
leader Kim Jong-un, a source close to Pyongyang said Tuesday.
"The children of high-ranking party or
military officials are mostly in their 40s to 50s. They have received a variety
of perks by obtaining important posts and promotions because of their
parents," said the source, who requested anonymity.
"The children prefer the diplomacy and
trade sectors, with about half of them working in those areas," the source
said.
Kang Yong-chol, a nephew of North Korea's
influential Jang Song-thaek, was appointed North Korean ambassador to Malaysia
in 2010, even before he finished his four-year term as ambassador to Nepal.
Jang, a four-star general and Kim Jong-un's uncle, played a key role in
cementing Kim's power.
Ri Son-il, son of Ri Yong-ho, chief of the
General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and Cha Dong-sup, son-in-law of Kim
Yong-chun, minister of the People's Armed Forces, are heads of trade companies,
attracting foreign currency and investment, the source said.
"Expanded benefits given to children of
former and current senior officials show the regime's efforts to secure loyalty
to the third-generation power succession," the source said.
"But there is much criticism that the
privilege succession of this elite group will enrage many mid-level officials
and ordinary North Korean people, eventually weakening the unity of the
regime."
The late leader and Kim Jong-un's father, Kim
Jong-il, died of a heart attack on December 17, after assuming power in 1994
after the death of his father and North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung.
Immediately after the funeral last month, Kim
Jong-il's youngest and untested son Jong-un rose to power, being named
"the supreme commander" of the country's 1.2 million-strong military.
Kim Yoon-mi in Seoul/The Korea Herald | ANN
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