SEOUL: North Korea’s parliament on Monday promoted the powerful brother-in-law of leader Kim Jong-Il in a move seen as paving the way for Kim’s youngest son to succeed him.

The rare second annual legislative session, attended by Kim, also sacked the prime minister in an apparent attempt to push harder to revive the ailing economy.

Jang Song-Thaek became vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, the top decision-making body chaired by Kim, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

His promotion suggests that Kim, 68, is moving forward to nominate his third son Jong-Un as eventual successor. Jang is close to Jong-Un and seen as likely to act as “regent” when the son takes the reins.

The rubber-stamp legislature met amid growing tensions with South Korea, as Seoul pushed for UN condemnation of its neighbour over the sinking of a warship in March. KCNA’s report mentioned only personnel changes.

Jang, as guardian of Jong-Un, had fast expanded his influence since Kim Jong-Il’s reported stroke in 2008, Paik said. He joined the National Defence Commission in April last year.

Kim Yong-Il was sacked as prime minister and replaced by Choe Yong-Rim, who headed the Pyongyang branch of the ruling communist party.

Choe gave a speech at a mass rally on May 30, at which up to 100,000 people reportedly denounced South Korea and the United States for blaming Pyongyang for the sinking of the warship.

KCNA said three vice-premiers were also sacked along with the three ministers in charge of light industry, food supply and physical culture and sports.

The North has made light industry a priority in desperate efforts to revive its state-directed economy, amid persistent food shortages worsened by a bungled currency change last November.

Choe has long been a core party member, Yang said.

“His appointment as prime minister shows that Kim Jong-Il wants the ruling party to lead the cabinet directly to overcome the economic crisis.”

South Korea’s decision to cut off most trade as punishment for the sinking has also hit its neighbour’s faltering economy.

Seoul asked the United Nations Security Council to censure Pyongyang for the sinking that killed 46 sailors in March, after a multinational investigation team reported that ship was hit by a North Korean torpedo.

The North has furiously denied involvement and threatened war in response to Seoul’s announced reprisals.

Seoul’s ally Washington strongly supports the UN move but China and Russia — both veto-wielding council members — have not stated their position.

Vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-Woo will visit China for two days from Tuesday to try to secure its support, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told an Asian security forum on Saturday that his country “is assessing additional options to hold North Korea accountable”.

Gates said Friday that joint US-South Korean naval exercises may be put off to allow more time for UN diplomacy, but the North still blasted the planned drill.

Agence France-Presse