North Korean Heir Appears At Military Parade

The man widely expected to be the next leader of North Korea has appeared on live television in the communist-run state.

Kim Jong Un, son and heir apparent of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Il, appeared with his father today to watch a military parade in Pyongyang that was staged to mark the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers Party.

The parade showcased the North’s military capabilities, including missiles, tanks, and artillery rockets.

Kim Jong Un was appointed as a general and a vice chairman of the party's Central Military Commission late last month.

Analysts have said the appointments mean the younger Kim is apparently in line to succeed his father, who is in his late 60s and believed to be in poor health.

Among the guests at the parade were foreign diplomats and Communist Party officials from China, North Korea's only major ally.

compiled from agency reports