Kim Il-Sung's 'revolution' to be continued by 'son and grandson'
February 11, 2005
World Tribune.com / East West Services, Inc.

Excerpt:
North Korea's media has for the first time confirmed that its leader Kim Jong-Il is preparing for a hereditary transfer of power to one of his three sons.

Kim, who turns 63 on Feb. 16, became the first ruler in communist history to succeed a father as head of state in 1994 when his father died at the age of 82. Kim Jong-Il had been anointed by his father 20 years earlier when his father embarked upon a two-decade-long transition program.

"Our (national) founder Kim Il-Sung, when he was alive, emphasized that if he falls short of completing the revolution, it will be continued by his son and grandson," the North's Central Broadcasting Station said Jan. 27. The term "grandson" referred to one of Kim Jong-Il's heirs apparent, North Korea watchers said.

"This is a philosophy that revolution should be completed even if it takes place in the next generation. If our tradition is great, then the inheritance of it should be great as well," the broadcast said.

The state-run media also quoted Kim Jong-Il as saying he would "uphold father president's instructions," an indication of an impending another power transfer program.

Analysts in Seoul say the report appears to be tantamount to official confirmation that the world's only communist dynasty would hand the reins to a third generation.

"There have actually been many things that hint at the secret and systematic preparations of nominating the successor of Kim Jong-Il," said Cheong Seong-Chang, a North Korea specialist at Seoul's private Sejong Institute.

He said Kim's second son, Jong-Chol, 23, is most likely to succeed his father power because North Korea has recently glorified his natural mother, Ko Yong-Hi, calling her "respected mother" and "great woman."

The North made a similar campaign to idolize Kim Jong-Il's mother, Kim Jong-Suk, as "Comrade of Revolution," when he was designated the successor to his father and national founder Kim Il-Sung. "The personality cult for Ko is considered as a prelude to appointing her son as the crown prince to pave the way for her son's future rein," Cheong said.
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