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Monday, 27 December 2010

New Video Of North Korea's Leader-In-Waiting

11:50am UK, Monday December 27, 2010

Kirsty Donald, Sky News Online

A new video of North Korea's leader-in-waiting has been broadcast on state TV as it emerged a train carrying his birthday gifts derailed in a possible act of sabotage.




The footage shows Kim Jong-un, thought to be in his mid-20s, attending a Workers' Party meeting in the capital Pyongyang in September.

The reclusive country's current leader Kim Jong-il is believed to be grooming his third son to succeed him.

Very little is known about Kim Jong-un but he was appointed to key military and government positions earlier this year.

The video was filmed shortly after he was promoted to the rank of four-star general.

His birthday is believed to be on January 8.

A train packed with presents for him came off the rails on December 11, it emerged as the video was being broadcast.

Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un at parade to mark 65th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea

Kim Jong-il (left) is believed to be grooming his third son (right) to take over

It was laden with gifts including televisions and watches, according to Open Radio for North Korea, which is based in South Korea but broadcasts across the border.

"The extent of damage to the tracks and the timing of the incident points to a chance that someone intentionally damaged the tracks," a source was quoted as saying.

"It's highly likely that it was someone who is opposed to succession to Kim Jong-un."

After the video was broadcast in North Korea, South Korea's president used a national radio address to call for solidarity against Pyongyang.

Lee Myung-bak toughened his language against the North, saying Seoul cannot afford to have any divisions "because what's at stake is our very lives and the survival of this nation".

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