Kim Jong Ii Won’t Succeed Before July

Kim Jong Il’s long-delayed formal succession to power in North Korea will not happen before July, the second anniversary of the death of his father and the country’s long-time leader.

“After the second anniversary, you should pay attention to the situation in our country,” North Korea’s ambassador to China, Chu Changjun, said Wednesday in one of the most concrete statements on when Kim will assume the titles of president and party leader.

Kim Jong Il was the designated successor to his father, Kim Il Sung, and already held North Korea’s top military position at the time of his death.

The delay in officially assuming power has baffled international observers, and prompted speculation that Kim Jong Il faces internal challenges or is ill.

But Chu said Kim Jong Il “has been leading the work of our state and army for many years” and “the election of the supreme leadership is only a formality.”

Chu explained the delay by saying: “The second anniversary of the passing of the Great Leader is not over yet. Our people are still in a state of mourning.”