Official says US closely watching NKorea’s Kim family succession for leadership clues

US watching NKorea succession maneuvers closely

NEW YORK — The United States is closely watching North Korea’s leadership succession drama for clues to the reclusive nation’s policy on scrapping its nuclear weapons program, a top State Department official said.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell said in a conference call that Washington was watching developments carefully after a North Korean report that Kim Jong Un had been promoted to the rank of general before a key party leadership meeting.

The youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un and is widely believed to be on track to succeed his father in ruling the impoverished country.

Campbell said the U.S. was still trying to interpret the meaning of the developments.