Kim Jung-chul Emerging as Heir Apparent in North Korea

The North Korean communist party seems gearing up to appoint Kim Jung-chul, 22-year-old second son of Kim Jong-il, as an heir apparent to the incumbent leader, Japanese Kyoto News Agency reported on Feb. 15.

The new agency said that it acquired an internal document showing North Korea began to idolize Goh Young-hee, wife of Kim Jong-il and mother of Kim Jung-chul.

˝During military training, North Korean soldiers now call Goh the `respected mother,`˝ said a Japanese expert on North Korea on Feb. 16. ˝This seems closely linked to the speculation that Jung-chul is fast emerging as an heir apparent outperforming his own brother Jung-nam.˝

Jung-nam, the oldest son of Kim Jong-il, has been losing his ground in the competition for leadership since he was caught in Narita Airport in Japan with a fake identification card in May 2001 and became an international mockery.

Ms. Goh was born in Japan in a family hailing from Jeju Island. She went to North Korea in early 1960 and joined `Mansudae Arts Theater`, an opera show in Pyongyang.

Meantime, Minichi Shimbun reported, citing Chosun Central News Agency, that legendary North Korean dancer Choi Seung-hee, who has been believed to disappear from the center stage after his literary critic husband lost power, died in 1969 and was buried in the `graveyard for patriots`.

The newspaper added the recognition for Choi is seen as a move to boost the standing of Goh. The recognition for the legendary dancer came, the Minichi speculated, as Goh asked his husband to reinstate Choi`s reputation as the world-class modern dancer.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com