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New leader of North Korea and military mourn the death of late leader, his father, Kim Jong-il. Photograph Reuters |
Reports from North Korea indicated that the country's new leader, late Kim Jong-il's youngest son, Kim Jong-un, will share power with his uncle and the military.
Sources in the reclusive state have added that the military pledged its allegiance to Kim Jong-un and dismissed rumours of a military coup. Some reports state that the new leader had begun issuing orders to the military before his father's death.
Power will also be shared by Jang Song-thaek, brother-in-law of the late Kim Jong-il, who was names to the National Defense Commission in 2009 - part of the supreme leadership council the late leader headed.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ralph Cossa, from the US think tank - Pacific Forum CSIS, said,
"All have a vested interest in regime survival. Their own personal safety and survival is inextricably tied to regime survival and Kim Jong-un is the manifestation of this. I think the regime will remain stable, at least in the near-term."
The death of late Kim Jong-il, officially said to be as a result of a heart attack, was announced Monday. Reports have since emerged, his death may have occurred two days earlier.