The return of the prodigal son

Kim Jong-Il's oldest son has returned to North Korea.

The eldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-nam (36) has returned to Pyongyang and is working at the Organization and Guidance Department of North Korea's Worker's Party, an intelligence source said Sunday. The department is the key agency that controls all of the party, the military and the government of North Korea. This has prompted analysts to speculate about a reconciliation and the possibility that Jopng-nam, who has been living in exile in Macau, could inherit the leadership instead of his younger half-brothers Jong-chul (26) and Jong-woon (24), who were variously tipped for the succession.

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In 2001, Kim Jong-nam was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport. He had been living overseas because he fell out of favor with his father. Nam Sung-wook, a North Korea specialist at Korea University, said, "Kim Jong-il could not ignore the existence of his eldest son Jong-nam. It seems that Kim Jong-nam is being given new weight, so North Korea has apparently entered a new phase in choosing Kim Jong-il's successor."

Is the writer of the above Chosunilbo article trying to be punny. GI at ROK Drop notes that Jong-nam is now the fattest man in North Korea(surpassing his father).

Jong-nam could have a long wait ahead of him. Kim Jong-IL is in his sixties, and despite the Fidel like rumors of poor health, could easily be ruler of the DPRK for many more years yet. Would Jong-nam be any different than his father?

Linked to- Pursuing Holiness, Random Yak, Right Wing Nation, Rosemary,