Kim Jong-il had years to prepare as an understudy to his father, Kim Il-sung , but many reports suggest that he is nearing the end of his life. This autumn, he promoted his hitherto little-seen son, Kim Jong-un, to the rank of general, and introduced him at a Communist Party conference.
大多数观察家都将朝鲜最近的挑衅行为归隐于平壤当局的权力更替。金正日曾作为他父亲金日成的副手工作多年，但许多报告都显示他已经命不久矣了。就在这个秋天，他将自己甚少露面的儿子金正恩提升为人民军大将，并在朝鲜劳动党大会上向大家介绍了后者。