Kim Jong Il selects youngest son as successor

Kim Jong Il has selected his 26 year-old son to succeed him as leader of North Korea, the Associated Press reports.

Kim Jong Un is the youngest of Kim Jong Il’s three sons. As the AP reports, the son is already being called “Commander Kim” in the communist country.

The announcement comes after several recent provocations from North Korea with regard to its nuclear missile program. In April, North Korea tested a long-range missile. Then last week North Korea fired off three short-range missiles and conducted an under ground nuclear test. And on top of that, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that North Korea was prepping another long-range missile.

All of these actions have been seen as attempts to drum up support for Kim Jong-Il’s successor.

For a closer look at Kim Jong Un, check out this Time Magazine profile that ran on Monday.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com