Who exactly is Kim Jong Un, the youngest son and expected heir to North Korea leader Kim Jong Il?

With Jong Un's recent promotion to North Korea's powerful defence commission and his father's failing health, analysts say plans are being made for the communist dynasty to hand over power to the third generation.

In the 2003 book, "I was Kim Jong Il's Chef," a Japanese man writing under a pseudonym described Jung Un as his father's favourite.

Little is known about Jong Un, who is described as "a chip off the old block, a spitting image of his father in terms of face, body shape and personality" by the chef writing under the name of Kenji Fujimoto.

Family

According to reports, Kim Jong Un was born in either 1983 or 1984 to Kim Jong Il's late third wife, Ko Yong Hui. His mother is described as "doting" to Jung-un and nicknamed him the "Morning Star King".

She died in 2004, reportedly from breast cancer.

The youngest of Kim Jong Il's three sons, Jong Un grew to prominence as his older brothers fell out of their father's favour.

Kim Jong Il's oldest son, Jong Nam, was detained and deported in Japan in 2001 while travelling there on a phony passport and saying he wanted to visit Disneyland in Tokyo. Analysts say he is not taken seriously by his father.

The middle-son, Jong Chul, has reportedly been described by Kim Jong Il as "girlish."

Education

Kim Jong Un attended school in Switzerland during the 1990s and was trained in English, German and French. While there he avoided any Western influences and mostly dined with the North Korean ambassador. He then studied military science at Kim Il Sung Military University between 2002 and 2006.

His promotion this week to the National Defence Commission, the country's most powerful government body, is seen as a signal he is being groomed for a leadership position.

Kim Jong Il is the commission's chairman.

Character and health

Unlike his two older brothers, Jong Un has rarely been seen outside of North Korea and there are few photos circulating of him.

He is also believed to be much more ambitious than either of his brothers.

Like his father, Jong Un is believed to already have diabetes and heart disease due to a lack of exercise. One report pegs him at 5'9 and about 200 pounds. Despite his stature, he is said to be a fan of playing basketball.

Unlike his father, there is no cult of personality for Jong Un. He is not well-known to North Koreans, although there are reports the propaganda machine is gearing up for Jong-un.

Some 10 million portraits are being prepared of him to hang alongside his father and grandfather, reports say.

There have also been poems and songs written about him promoting his leadership qualities.

However, analysts say Jong Un would not be able to control the country on his own immediately after his father's death. Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law, Jang Song Taek, is also on the defence commission and is seen as a power broker behind the scenes.