North Korea is increasing the public exposure of Mr. Kim Jong Un, the third and youngest son of the country's leader Kim Jong Il and his heir apparent, through the mass media. The process represents North Korea's efforts to consolidate Mr. Kim Jong Un's political standing and legitimacy.
On Oct. 5 the Korean Central News Agency reported that he accompanied his father together with military brass and inspected a drill of the No. 851 unit of the Korean People's Army. Korean Central Television on the night of that day aired a still photograph of the two Kims and army officials.
The way he was introduced by the media hints that his rank in the ruling party is just below the six Presidium members of the Political Bureau. Rodong Shinmun, the party organ, on Oct. 6 carried the photograph and the KCNA article on Pages 1 and 2.