'NK leader unlikely to face challenge to his power'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is unlikely to face any challenges to his power as there is no alternative to him in a country that has built a personality cult around his family, a presidential advisory body on unification said Wednesday.

"In a short-term perspective, it is believed that there will be no factor that could challenge for Kim Jong-un's succession to power," the National Unification Advisory Council said in a recent report to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Kim took over the communist country following the December death of his father, long-time leader Kim Jong-il.

The advisory body made the assessment on grounds that North Korea has been ruled by Kim's family since its foundation in 1948 and that China supports the new leader, believed to be in his late 20s.

China's endorsement is widely seen crucial in keeping the Kim family dynasty as the impoverished North has long relied on diplomatic support and economic aid from its key ally.

Still, the advisory body cautioned that there could be friction among officials over a power reshuffle and distribution of resources in the future. It also said there could be a policy dispute over whether to keep the country's military-first, or "songun," policy.

Kim's late father championed the songun policy and channeled the country's scarce resources to the military, which had served as a key backbone of his totalitarian rule.

Kim Jong-un has also made a series of inspection trips to military units in an apparent move to bolster his support from the military. Top North Korean military officials have repeatedly pledged loyalty to their new supreme commander.

The council said Kim Jong-un appears likely to maintain the status quo in the country's domestic and foreign policy as he has vowed to uphold his father's dying wish.

It also said it is difficult to expect any change in the North's economic policy in a short period of time, despite Kim's reported comment on capitalistic economic reform.

Seoul has proposed providing aid along with regional powers if Pyongyang embraces openness to develop its faltering economy.

In December, North Korea said that "the South Korean puppets and foolish politicians around the world should not expect any change" from North Korea.

Separately, the council said that the North may fire a missile or conduct a third nuclear test to try to boost its bargaining leverage in preparations for possible talks with the United States after the U.S. presidential election in November.

Many analysts had speculated that the North, which carried out two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, may conduct a third nuclear test to compensate for its botched rocket launch.

The long-range rocket exploded soon after lift-off in April. The North claimed that it was designed to put a satellite into orbit, but South Korea and the U.S. said it was a cover for testing the North's ballistic missile technology.

Last month, North Korea said it has no immediate plan to conduct a nuclear test. (Yonhap)