北韩领导人金正日星期一主持召开最高人民会议特别会议。他的妹夫张成泽在会议上被提拔出任政府高级职位。
星期一，会议任命张成泽为权力很大的朝鲜国防委员会副委员长。金正日是国防委员会委员长。
分析人士称，张成泽是金正日小儿子金正云的监护人和政治导师。
一些专家相信，金正云最早将于2012年从他父亲手中接管北韩领导权。他们认为，张成泽的提升是为了促使世袭政权的顺利交接。
此次北韩最高人民会议还免除了总理金英日的职务，由最高人民会议常任委员崔永林接替。分析人士说，金英日因北韩去年货币改革受到批评。改革失败引发了北韩社会动荡。
星期一的会议是北韩最高人民会议今年第二次召开大会。最高人民会议通常每年召开会期一天的会议，以通过金正日提出的法案和政策目标。
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has presided over a special parliamentary session in which his brother-in-law was promoted to a senior government position.
The rubber-stamp body appointed Jang Song Thaek Monday to the post of vice chairman of the powerful National Defense commission, which is headed by Mr. Kim.
Analysts say Jang is the trusted custodian and tutor of Mr. Kim’s youngest son, Jong Un.
Some experts believe Jong Un will take over the country’s leadership from his father as early as 2012. They say Jang’s promotion is intended to facilitate a hereditary succession of power.
The North Korean assembly also fired Premier Kim Yong Il and replaced him with Choe Young Rim, a parliament member. Analysts say the outgoing premier took the blame for a failed currency reform last year that triggered social unrest.
Monday’s session was the second held by the North Korean People’s Assembly this year. It usually meets one day each year to approve bills and policy aims ordered by Mr. Kim.