UK envoy to N.Korea comments on leadership change

The outgoing British envoy to North Korea has suggested that the heir apparent to leader Kim Jong Il faces challenges in consolidating his power base.

Former ambassador Peter Hughes, who served in Pyongyang for 3 years, spoke to reporters in Seoul on Wednesday before returning to Britain.

Hughes commented on the North Korean leader's son, Kim Jong Un, who became the designated heir exactly a year ago.

He said the people of North Korea appear unconcerned about the succession, but that the practice of hereditary rule also lacks widespread support.

Hughes noted that a younger generation loyal to Kim Jong Un is on the rise within the Korean People's Army and the Korean Workers' Party, suggesting that the heir apparent has begun efforts to rejuvenate the country's leadership.

He added that the army chief of staff, Ri Yong Ho, would be appointed Kim Jong Un's guardian. Ri, who is in his 60s, was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission last year despite being relatively young.