SEOUL - THE eldest son of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Il says his father likes his youngest half-brother 'very much' and he believes the latter will become the next leader of the communist state, a Japanese television network reported.
Japan's NTV aired footage of Mr Kim's first son, Jong Nam, on Saturday telling its reporter in Macau that 'my father likes him very much', referring to the leader's third and youngest son - Jong Un.
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'Appointment of a successor is totally my father's decision. He makes his decisions, so he does not need to talk to me or talk to another person, I think.'
Mr Kim Jong Nam, who has long been considered the favourite to succeed his father, but reportedly fell out of favour due to his wayward lifestyle
'Appointment of a successor is totally my father's decision. He makes his decisions, so he does not need to talk to me or talk to another person, I think,' said Mr Kim Jong Nam, wearing a pair of sunglasses and speaking in English.
The 38-year-old said he was aware of the latest media reports on the North's succession, but said he has not been officially informed of the reported move. 'I think so. I hear this news by media,' he said in the programme which Seoul's YTN also broadcast yesterday.
But when asked about Pyongyang's underground nuclear test last month, he said: 'I think, this kind of question, you have to ask my father or my brother now, not me.'
He had long been considered the favourite to succeed his father but reportedly fell out of Mr Kim's favour due to his wayward lifestyle.
Unlike his secretive father who is rarely seen in public, the younger Mr Kim 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. He is believed to have lived in China, in particular Macau, for the past several years.
The 67-year-old North Korean leader has three known sons from two wives, and speculation on who will succeed him has grown since he reportedly suffered a stroke last year.
Last week, a South Korean lawmaker and media outlets said the North recently told its diplomatic missions that Mr Kim's 26-year-old youngest son will be the nation's next leader.
According to reports, North Koreans are being taught new songs aimed at instilling loyalty to the next leader by addressing him as 'General Kim.'
ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
