Son rises,Kims youngest made 4-star general

Kim Jong Il made his youngest son a four-star general in a promotion seen on Tuesday as the first step toward his ascent as the next leader of North Korea.

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Kim Jong Il made his youngest son a four-star general in a promotion seen on Tuesday as the first step toward his ascent as the next leader of North Korea extending the family dynasty in the reclusive totalitarian country to a third generation.

The announcement was published in state media hours before a historic Workers Party meeting where the 68-year-old Kim was expected to bestow a party title on his son,Kim Jong Un,who is in his 20s.

Pyongyang was decorated with banners and placards celebrating the countrys biggest political gathering in 30 years.

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At Tuesdays meeting,Kim Jong Il was re-elected to the partys top position of general secretary. Footage shot by broadcaster APTN showed buses carrying party delegates leaving Pyongyang,a sign the meeting may have ended.

The news of the sons promotion was the North Korean medias first mention of Kim Jong Un,who has remained well-hidden from the outside world. He is believed to be 27,and is said to have been schooled in Switzerland and educated at Kim Il Sung Military University in Pyongyang.

The appointment also appears aimed at putting the son at the helm of his fathers songun,or military-first,policy. He is expected to take up other top military jobs such as commander of the 1.2 million-member military,analyst Cheong Seong-chang of the private Sejong Institute think tank said.

Its not known what kind of party position Kim Jong Un might be granted. Some predict hell win the same post his father took 37 years ago party secretary. However,he may not have the benefit of 20 years of training like his father.

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Sister Kim Kyong Hui,64,was among six people promoted to general along with Kim Jong Un,and her name was listed ahead of Kim Jong Uns in the Korean Central News Agency report.