North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's son, Kim Jong-un, has been appointed a general, the country's state media say.

朝鲜官方媒体称，领导人金正日之子金正云被任命为将军。

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Kim Jong-il has nurtured a personality cult

They also say Kim Jong-il has been reappointed as leader at the start of a meeting of the ruling party, and that a "crucial" development had begun.

The party's biggest meeting for decades is being held amid rumours³ Kim Jong-il plans to cement（巩固，加强） the family dynasty by anointing his son as successor.

The announcement is the first mention of his son by name by state media.

The television announcer was quoted as saying that Kim Jong-il had been reappointed as general secretary of the Workers' Party as an "expression of absolute support and trust".

The 68-year-old leader is reportedly suffering from several illnesses.

He is believed to have had a stroke two years ago, and has travelled to China for treatment on numerous occasions.

Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing have publicly commented on rumours surrounding his health.

The Workers Party meeting, with a stated aim of installing a new leadership team, has now opened.

Kim Jong-il's sister, Kyong-hui, has also been named a general, announced the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

A US official said it was too soon to tell what was happening inside North Korea's leadership, but the United States was watching developments "carefully".

Reports from South Korea on Monday suggested that the military had nominated Kim Jong-un as a delegate for the conference.

The Chosun Ilbo newspaper quoted an unnamed North Korean source as saying a propaganda（宣传） campaign had already begun to raise Kim Jong-un's profile.

Little is known of Swiss-educated Kim Jong-un, thought to be in his mid-20s.

Rumours emerged last year from the secretive state that he was his father's chosen successor.

Analysts⁴ say taking over his father's job would be a huge task for someone with so little experience.