Guessing game on North Korean heir intensifies.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Choi Soung-ah A major question again being posed here is who North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il will pick as next in line to head the hermit kingdom following reports of the death of Ko Young-hee, his purported third wife.

Compiled research of the Kim family tree lists three sons of Jong-il, who has been in full power since the death in 1994 of his father Kim Il-sung, founder of the communist country.

The 62-year-old Kim has to pick from the eldest, Jong-nam, 33, son of his first "unofficial wife" Sung Hae-rim, and Jong-chul, 23, and Jong- un, 21, both from his third "mistress," Ko.

While many analysts here rank the half-brothers Jong-nam and Jong-chul as the top two candidates, they are split on who is more likely to emerge the main heir.

A series of recent memoirs by former cooks, a bodyguard and the sister of one of the lovers of Kim Jong-il have served up a lurid portrait of a mercurial dictator. On the sons, however, there are not many notes to compare.

With Pyongyang remaining silent about the country's first family, North Korea experts believe Kim Jong-il may need to name a successor soon.