Description: (Kim Jong-il's son)
Kim Jong-chul was appointed deputy chief of a leadership division of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2007. However, in January 2009, Kim Jong Il appointed his youngest son, Jong-un, as his successor, passing over Jong-chul. Reports suggested that Kim Jong Un was being groomed for leadership similar to his father's succession. Kim Jong-chul's professional life also included other undisclosed positions within the ruling Workers' Party, but his prospects for succession were diminished by his father's decision to choose Jong-un as the heir.