(ATTN: ADDS South Korean online report on rumors of marriage for North Korean heir apparent in last five paras)
SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's heir apparent has been seen expanding the realm of his public activities in recent months, according to reports from the North's news media monitored in Seoul.

   Kim named his youngest son, Jong-un, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party and a four-star general last September in the clearest sign yet that he will take over the regime.

   The son has frequently attended economic and diplomatic events in the second half of this year while he focused on military-related activities in the first half, according to North Korean media reports.

   The junior Kim has already accompanied his father for his public activities as many as 36 times in the four months or so from July, compared to 35 times in the first six months.

   Of the 36 cases, 11 were economy-related, compared to nine in the first half.

   Jong-un is also believed to be faithfully absorbing leadership lessons from his father in the diplomatic sector.

   He sat beside his father when he met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Monday in Pyongyang.

   Jong-un, in particular, sat to Li's right during a photo opportunity for the meeting, indicating his firm position as the No. 2 man in the North.

   On Sept. 23, Jong-un attended a meeting between his father and visiting Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone.

   Experts say the heir apparent's expansion of activities to the economy and diplomacy shows that the country's second father-to-son power succession is going smoothly.

   "Jong-un has yet to assume titles other than vice chairman of the Central Military Commission but seems to be strengthening his position, building experience in various fields," a North Korea expert said, requesting not to be named.

   Meanwhile, a South Korean online newspaper reported earlier in the day on rumors that the little-known heir apparent had married a woman in her 20s, although those claims could not be verified independently.

   Daily NK, the Internet newspaper run by anti-Pyongyang activists, quoted a source in the North saying that senior officials in the Workers' Party and military were circulating the rumors.

   According to the report, Jong-un married the woman, believed to be two years his junior, just before he made his public debut as a four-star general and senior official in the communist party in September.

   The online newspaper said, however, that there was no specific evidence to verify the rumors.

   Little is known about the North's heir apparent. His age is believed to be 28 or 29.

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