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Last update: June 23, 2009 - 10:36 PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has put his youngest son in charge of the country's spy agency in a move aimed at handing the Communist regime over to him, according to a news report.

Kim visited the headquarters of the State Security Department in March, along with his 26-year-old third son, Kim Jong Un, and told agency leaders to "uphold" the son as head of the department, the South Korean newspaper Dong-a Ilbo reported, citing an unnamed source.

The newspaper said Kim visited a college that educates spy agents last month and made similar remarks there.

Pyongyang's State Security Department is the backbone of Kim's harsh rule over the totalitarian nation. It keeps a close watch over government agencies, the military and ordinary people for any signs of dissent. AP

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