 Subsequent reports indicated that his name did not appear on the list of lawmakers, but he was later elevated to a mid-level position in the National Defense Commission, which is a branch of the North Korean military.From 2009, it was understood by foreign diplomatic services that Kim was to succeed his father Kim Jong-il as the head of the Korean Workers' Party and "de facto" leader of North Korea.He has been named "Yŏngmyŏng-han Tongji" (), which loosely translates to "Brilliant Comrade".