SEOUL (South Korea) - THE eldest son of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Il says his father likes his youngest half brother 'very much,' a Japanese television network reported, amid reports he has been tapped to become the country's next leader.

Kim, 67, has three known sons with two different mothers and speculation on who will succeed him has grown since he reportedly suffered a stroke last summer.

Little is known about the 26-year-old Jong Un who was born to Kim Jong Il's late wife Ko Yong Hi. Ko had another son, Kim Jong Chol, but the father reportedly doesn't favour the 28-year-old middle son as a possible leader. Jong Un studied at the International School of Berne in Switzerland until 1998 under the pseudonym Pak Chol, learning to speak English, German and French, the Swiss weekly news magazine L'Hebdo reported earlier this year, citing classmates and school officials. ... more

Last week, however, a South Korean lawmaker and media outlets said the North recently told its diplomatic missions that Kim's 26-year-old youngest son - Jong Un - will be the nation's next leader.

The possible transfer of power comes amid mounting tension on the Korean peninsula following the North's recent nuclear test and subsequent series of short-range missile launches.

On Saturday, Japan's NTV aired footage of Kim's first son, Jong Nam, telling its reporter in Macau that, 'My father likes him very much,' referring to the leader's third and youngest son - Jong Un.

Unlike his secretive father who is rarely seen in public, Jong Nam, 38, frequently appears on Japanese TV and does not hide the fact that he is the son of one of the most elusive political figures in the world. Jong Nam is believed to have lived in China and its territory of Macau for the past several years.

Jong Nam said he was aware of the latest media reports on the North Korea's succession but said he hasn't been officially informed of the reported move.

'Appointment of a successor is totally my father's decision. He makes his decisions so he doesn't need to talk to me or talk to another person I think,' said the short-haired Kim, wearing a pair of sunglasses and speaking in English.

Jong Nam had long been considered the favourite to succeed his father but reportedly fell out of his father's favour due to his wayward lifestyle. In 2001, he was caught trying to enter Japan on a fake passport and reportedly told Japanese officials he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. His mother is late actress Sung Hae Rim. -- AP