North Korean Leadership Through the Years

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il at a military parade to celebrate the 63rd founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Pyongyang, September 9, 2011. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (C) smiles while visiting a shopping center in Vladivostok, August 23, 2002. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-II (C) on the tarmac at Pyongyang Airport following a visit by then Chinese President Yang Shangkun, April 17, 1992. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (C), accompanied by his son Kim Jong Un (R), inspecting Korean People's Army Air Force Unit 1016 honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment at undisclosed place in North Korea, undated handout picture. (AFP)

Kim Jong-Il (C), son of North Korea's President Kim Il-Sung and the country's heir-apparent visiting a mine during an "on-the-spot" guidance tour, undated image. (AFP)

Thousands of people kneel down or stand in front of a giant statue (the Mansudae monument) of North Korean President Kim Il Sung to mourn the death of late President at the Korean Revolution Museum in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 9, 1994. (AFP)

North Korea's Kim Jong-Il (R) and his father Kim Il-Sung (L), who died in July 1994, attending an evening party to celebrate the 6th Korean Worker's Party convention, October, 1980. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (R) and his father and then-leader, Kim Il-Sung (L), undated image. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung (R) with his son and chosen successor Kim Jong-Il, undated official picture. (AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (sitting-L) sitting with his son, Jong-Nam (sitting-R), Kim's sister-in-law Sung Hye-Rang (L-top), Sung's daughter Lee Nam-Ok (C-top) and son Lee Il-Nam (R-top). Sung Hye-Rang, August 19, 1981. (AFP)

North Korean President Kim Il Sung, July 10, 1950. (AFP)

Kim Jong Un, third son of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il, October 18, 2010. (AP)