Likely N Korea heir Kim Jong-un appears with father

Chris Hogg: \"Kim Jong-il knows that he needs to get the military on side if he is to secure the succession\" for Kim Jong-un

State television in North Korea has shown live pictures of the leader, Kim Jong-il, reviewing a military parade accompanied by his youngest son, Kim Jong-un.



The younger Mr Kim is thought to be in line to succeed his father as leader of the highly secretive state.



He was suddenly promoted to senior leadership roles last month.



The parade in the capital Pyongyang marked the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers\' Party.



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Officials say the anniversary celebrations will be biggest of their kind in the nation\'s history.



Applauding crowds



On Saturday, father and son appeared at a festival in the capital.



Members of the international media were also invited in to witness the event.



As a spotlight shone on the two men, the massive crowd at the Arirang gymnastics and dance festival rose to their feet and burst into applause.



Last month, Kim Jong-un was made a four-star general and given senior positions in the government and the Workers\' Party, at a rare party conference.



Many analysts say this means he is in line to succeed his father, who took over the leadership of North Korea in 1997.



Kim Jong-il is thought to be in poor health and is widely believed to have suffered a stroke two years ago.



Our correspondent Michael Bristow, who is in Pyongyang for the anniversary, says the younger Mr Kim\'s appearances in front of an invited group of foreign journalists seem to suggest that he will be the country\'s next leader.


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