Article: Kim Jong Il Succeeds Late Father as Ruler, N. Korean Radio Says

North Korea's state-controlled radio reported today that supreme power in the isolated Communist state has passed to Kim Jong Il, saying the 52-year-old Kim has succeeded his late father, Kim Il Sung, in all three of the top ruling positions.

If accurate, the report means the mysterious figure who has never been known to give a speech in public will take over as secretary general of the Workers Party, the nation's only legal party; as commander of the million-member armed forces; and as president, and thus civilian head of state, of the nation formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

That would give the son full control of the governing apparatus set up by Kim Il ...

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