presiding over all of it, north korea's dear leader, the 68-year-old kim jong-il, the son of north korea's first leader, kim il-sung. kim jong-il had a stroke two years ago, which raised questions about who would succeed him. today he was joined for the first time in the reviewing box by his son kim kim jon un. >> it means the regime is doing everything it can to keep power within the current regime. >> reporter: not much is known about kim jon un. he's thought to be in his late 20s, england kateed in switzerland and made a general a couple weeks ago. >> the family i think are trying to slowly begin to give him a higher profile. but they're taking their time. >> reporter: at the parade today and a music and dans extravaganza tonight, kim jong-il's very presence drew tears from the very faithful. but in a closed society with a researched economy and brutal poverty, it's impossible to know how widely those feelings are shared. >> kim jong-il has less respect than his father kim il-sung, and kim jon un has basically none at all. this is a very challenging situation for the north korean regime. >> reporter: if kim jon

over the weekend, there was a coming-out party for the grandson of the country's founder, kim il sungm axelrod traveled to pyongyang to witness the spectacle. >> reporter: on a viewing stand above a portrait of the nation's founder kim il sung, north korea's leader kim jong il and his son kim jong un watched the largest military parade in the country's 62-year history this past weekend. 16,000 troops. the parade takes place every five or ten years here in north korea but what makes this one different is us. the north korean government has invited the western media in not only to see the country flex its military muscle but to send an important symbolic message about its future. some of the missile say "defeat the u.s. military." it's a carefully choreographed rollout of kim jong un who's been tapped to take over when his 68-year-old father eventually steps down or dies. he's looking frail after a suspected stroke two years ago. kim jong un is thought to be in his late 20s, educated in switzerland, a huge fan of american professional basketball. but he's virtually unknown, even to the

several years ago kim jong-il first appeared in public to succeed his father kim il-sung. he was also chosen to be a member of the central military commission. there is widespread speculation that kim jong-un will attend a military pare on octob 10th in pyongyang. the 65th anniversary of the founding of the workers party. >>> north and south korea have made no progress narrowing their differences over the sinking of a south korean war ship in march near the disputed sea border the west of the korean peninsula. military officials from both sides met for the first time in two years on thursdayn panmunjom, a demilitarized zone. at the meeting, south korea called on its counterpart to offer an apology, punish those responsible and take measures to prevent similar recurrences saying it is obvious that the north is responsible for the sinking which claimed the lives of 46 sailors. north korea reportedly reconfirmed its position that it cannot accept the findings of a south korea-led international panel and demanded that the south accept a north korean team to look into the incid

. >> reporter: good evening from kim il-sung square in the center of pyonyang, where tonight, the northns are holding what they call a suare. a tradition marking the 65th anniversary of the worker's party in north korea. what this is in effect is an elaborate coming out party for the man that will be the next leader of north korea, kim jong-un and it is pure pageantry. the colors, the choreography. literally thousands of dancers. men and women dancing to north korean propaganda music. there were fireworks earlier as well and earlier in the day right here in kim il-sung square, there was a military parade. billed as the country's largest. some 20,000 military personnel and also a show of north korean military mite. the hardware, if you will. the tanks, the missiles. the shoulder-fired rockets. clearly, a show of the military's strength that this country has. remember, this is a country the size of portugal. the size of the u.s. state of mississippi and yet it still has one of the largest standing armies in the world. the media, we should mention, has been invited as guests. about 100 of

kim jong-il to his son kim jong-un. what's happening now. >> reporter: you're right. good morning from pyongyang, north korea, in the center of kim il-sung square named for the founder. what you are witnessing behind me is what's being billed as the largest military parade in that country's history. it is officially the 65th anniversary of the founding of the ruling workers party of north korea. it is also a national holiday. but in effect what this really is is an elaborate coming out party for the man, the heir apparent, the man who will become the next leader of north key kim jong-un, the young son of kim jong-il. security is incredibly tight. there were numerous checkpoints. even our government mighters were checked. my notebook and pen were checked so security is tight. you're not allowed into this square without an invitation from the government but having said that, this is an extraordinary site here in pyongyang. there is no other way to describe it. some 100,000 people, members of the elite north korean society, are here as well. there is an international delegation and it is extraordinary to see some of the western faces in the

important guests here today, don, are kim jong-il, the leader of north korea and his son, the heir apparent who are just to my right and above me here in kim il sungquare. just an extraordinary sight here in pyongyang today. >> thank you, alina. no one had heard of kim jong-un until a couple weeks ago. earlier i spoke with north korea expert gordon chang about who he is. >> he likes a lot of things western. he was educated in a swiss school but really the most important thing is that he is as ruthless and as calculating as his father, the current leader of north korea. he's one who got the dictator gene. >> is that the reason for him and not his two older brothers? >> well, they went through the two older brothers who for various reasons failed the test. kim jong nom, the eldest son, got caught trying to get into japan on a false dominican passport. that sort of ruled him out. kim jong choel, the youngest son is a little bit effeminate and then he had his moment in the sun he didn't last very long. there are factions within the regime supporting all three kids and apparently the won supporting the younger one has won out. >> someone educated in th

it honored their leader kim jong il and his father, kim il-sung, the dead but eternal president. flowers were named after them. >> this is a flower named after the great leader. this is the flower named after the great leader kim jong il. >> p'yongyang, the country's showcase. there are still signs of shock. women are scrubbing the streets by hand or digging for roots in a public park, a hint that some do not have enough to eat. the view is blocked by the government. the problem we have working here is that it is so difficult to get a real understanding of what is going on in the secretive state. our movements are restricted. we are accompanied by government minders at all times. that makes it impossible to talk with ordinary people. even when we give our minders the clips, some we try to talk to are still uncomfortable. >> do you like that? >> if you are more brave, happy to pose for pictures. but nothing more. the british ambassador says what you see in the capital is only half the story. >> you have to separate the city from the rest of the country. this city is a showcase and

the youngest kim is only twenty something years old he has no experience when kim jong il was young his father kim il sung took twenty years to groom him for this position this is a rush job they are rushing this through for a person who is really has no experience and that's why they will point to sort of again for medieval times a region kim has appointed his brother in law to sort of hold things together until the youngest son is old enough to take over but how long will that last will the military want to have a greater say in what's going on will others want to fight for power how will react during a period of vulnerability these are all big questions with potentially big consequences and they'll have to be answered first before we see what kind of leader the youngest son turns out to be. staying with asia now this week pakistan blocked nato supplies to afghanistan after cross border fire by alliance helicopters killed three pakistani troops the convoys had to take an alternative route through the north but with deadly consequences on friday suspected militants tore several dozen nato trucks as a res

the youngest kid was only twenty something years old he has no experience when kim jong il was young his father kim il sung took twenty years to groom him for this position this is a rush job they are rushing this through a person who is really has no experience and that's why they will point to sort of it again for medieval times a region him as a point of his brother in law to sort of hold things together until the youngest son is old enough to take over but how long will that last will the military want to have a greater say in what's going on will others want to fight for power how will north korea reactor in a period of vulnerability these are all big questions with potentially big consequences and they'll have to be answered first before we see what kind of leader the youngest son turns out to be russian boys adoptive parents abandoned him in the caribbean returned to his home country friday twelve year old denise is now getting help for him to adapt to a normal life back in moscow oxys tom bob was there for his return. home at last after allegedly being sold for drugs on the other side of the world

the youngest kim is only twenty something years old he has no experience when kim jong il was young his father kim il sung took twenty years to groom him for this position this is a rush job they are rushing this through a person who is really has no experience and that's why they've appointed sort of again for medieval times a region has appointed his brother in law to sort of hold things together until the youngest son is old enough to take over but how long will that last will the military want to have a greater say in what's going on will others want to fight for power how will react during a period of vulnerability these are all big questions with potentially big consequences and they'll have to be answered first before we see what kind of leader the youngest son turns out to be. auto merican now according to a new u.s. poll the majority of americans don't trust the country's news media to find out the reasons for this lack of faith or how often they stay hits the streets of new york in this week's the resident. according to a new gallup poll fifty seven percent of americans do not trust the news med

the youngest kim is only twenty something years old he has no experience when kim jong il was young his father kim il sung took twenty years to groom him for this position this is a rush job they are rushing this through a person who is really has no experience and that's why they will point to sort of again for medieval times a region came as a point of his brother in law to sort of hold things together until the youngest son is old enough to take over but how long will that last will the military want to have a greater say in what's going on will others want to fight for power how will the north korea react to a period of vulnerability these are all big questions with potentially big consequences and they'll have to be answered first before we see what kind of leader the younger son turns out to be offbeat story now from the week from us most of such attacks agree have to a stress at some point in their lives don't be when things get too much rush it seems there is now an extreme therapy on offer it went on like it it's been buried alive but despite a few grave concerns artie's bennett speak to try out

the youngest kim is only twenty something years old he has no experience when kim jong il was young his father kim il sung took twenty years to groom him for this position this is a rush job they are rushing this through for a person who is really has no experience and that's why they will point to sort of again from medieval times a region him as a point of his brother in law to sort of hold things together until the youngest son is old enough to take over but how long will that last will the military want to have a greater say in what's going on will others want to fight for power how will north korea reactor in a period of vulnerability these are all big questions with potentially big consequences and they'll have to be answered first before we see what kind of leader the youngest son turns out to be you watching artie's review the wait let me take you through some world news headlines making the rounds right now though the united states has issued a travel alert for its citizens in europe because of intelligence suggesting an increased risk of terror attacks in main cities britain is echoing the warni

kim il-sung, the founder of north korea, took two decades to prepare for the current leader. two years to prepare for the succession of kim jong un. only because he had a stroke in august 2008. so this is one of a haphazard planning for a transfer of power. probably not going to work. >> you describe him as ruthless, but i'm curious. what is the general feeling among north koreans about this power transfer? because some reports say that they're unhappy, but then i've also head some say they have neither fear nor respect for him. >> reporter: well, kim jong-il is not revered in north korea. and he'll be able to at least pass power to his son. at least for a little bit of time, but we also know that the north korean people, although they don't really have the means to resist the regime, are extremely unhappy with the way things are going, and we saw this, because of the protests, demonstrations and riots that occurred in december of last year when the regime tried to demontize the currency and bomped it. a lot of latent discontent. it may not show itself at any one particular mo

. >> reporter: it is very difficult to estimate how many troops there are in kim il-sung square but we are told that 10,000 to 15,000 have actually come here for this massive event. in fact, it is the largest parade in north korea's history to celebrate the founding of its workers party but also to introduce the apparent heir. there two seats to the left of kim jong-il is his son kim jong-un. the two of them sitting together have not spoken to the public or made any announcements, but what they did do, which is new to us, is that the general and between the two of them first saluted to kim jong-il and then saluted his son. all we know is he is 27 or 28 years old, studied briefly in switzerland and loves basketball, especially michael jordan. he is a mystery even to north koreans. do you know much about kim jong-un and do you know what his age is and what he's like? >> haven't you seen him on tv? >> reporter: i have been to the square several times before but never have journalists ever been able to stand so close and evidence that this is a major event. how soon kim jong-un will take p

. >> reporter: good evening from kim il-sung square here in the center of pyongyang. north koreans are holding a sweoiree, the third event in 24 hours, officially marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of the workers party of north korea. make no mistake, what this is in effect is an elaborate coming out party for the man who will be the next leader of north korea, kim jong-un. son of the ailing leader, kim jong-il. take a look behind me. it is pure pageantry. the colors, the choreography. literally thousands of dancer, men and women dancing to north korean propaganda music. there were fireworks earlier, as well. and earlier in the day, right here in kim il-un square there was a show of military personnel and military might. the tanks, the missiles, the shoulder-fired rockets. clearly a show of the military strength that this country has. remember, this is a country the size of portugal, the size of the u.s. state of mississippi, and yet it still has one of the largest standing armies in the world. the media, we should mention, has been invited as guests. about

. >> kim jong il has less respect than his father kim il- sung did and kim jong-un has basically none at all. >> reporter: this morning kim jong il looked frail and walked slowly though he's now made it clear who he wants to follow in his footsteps. for sunday morning this is jim axelrod in pyongyang north korea. >> osgood: the associated press reports up to 40 state attorneys general are investigating the use of flawed foreclosure paperwork by the nation's bank. word of the inquiry could come as early as tuesday. in sports in the american league baseball play-offs last night the new york yankees advanced one step closer to the pennant and the world series with a 6-1 win over the minnesota twins. earlier, the tampa bay rays staved off elimination by beating the texas rangers 6-3. now for today's weather forecast. shaping up to be a pleasant day with temperatures in the 70s, 80s and up and only a few rainy spots. the north will get a few showers this columbus day. the south will remain warm and sunny. ahead, all about best-selling author stieg larsson. and later the actor's actor. auth

an enormous statue of kim il-sung, the founder of north career. for all the circumstance we've seen over the past several days, what we really wanted the know how is how do average north koreans live? it is hard to get a true picture, our movements are tightly controlled by the government. and remember, this is a communist country. but having said that, there have been remarkable signs of progress. your eyes are not deceiving you. this is communist north korea. the newest attraction this western-style amusement park. there's a ride called power surge. and take a look inside the food court, you'll find western fair. this family comes here often to unwind. he says words cannot explain the excitement after working so h d hard, general kim jong-il has given us this park to relax. we really love it. if north korea is stalin's last playground, this is its version of disneyland. not far at this outdoor food market, they're serving up more traditional fair like soybean pancakes, and people are paying like their enemy neighbors in south korea, north korean

kim jong il maintaining the dynasty that he established because it was his father's as well? guest: pointing out that this dynasty has undergone a lot of transformation under kim jong il. when kim jeong sung passed away, the elites were privileged, it was a one-state type of country where the elites did benefit from that structure. under kim jong il, they're noting that he created a two tier economy. a royal economy and a general econy. the reports we hear of the general economy, the currency reform of november of last year being a disaster causing hyperinflation and difficulties for the people, those point to a gentlemen economy that isn't well administered. but frankly if you look at it from the perspective survival of the kim jong il leadership and regime really depends on the health of the royal pal ace economy so with this type of elite economy there is a big emphasis on how these trading companies are run. it is linked to the korean workers party as well as the military. what looks like a succession platform put in place for kim jung un', the focus on running north korean, incorporated. so with the difficulties and certainly the challenges of leadership on a stand-alone basis i thin

at this big parade, kim jong-il unveiled his heir apparent, the younger son, no surprise, it's his son. it's the only way to do it. here's a brief lesson. kim il sungat leader. led korea for 45 years from its founding to his death. he was named eternal leader. now his son, the current leader, kim jong-il. he was anointed "the dear lea r leaderer" and now has the title "supreme leader." now take a look at his son, kim jong-un. it's unclear if he's ever worn a military uniform. we believe he's in his early 20s, late 20s. he's the newly unveiled heir apparent. they've unveiled nuclear weapons as has missiles to launch them. not big fans of americans. john park, senior research associate for the center of conflict analysis and prevention. so, john, as we watch the pomp & circumstance of the parades, look at the heir apparent kim jong un, we think he's in his 20s and he's a general, what do you know about him? >>> it's correct what you pointed out. he's a four-star general. the worker's party of korea convened the conference november 28 and in addition to the four star general appointment, the third son of kim jong-il received the central military commi

kim jong il maintaining the dynasty that he established because it was his father's as well? guest: pointing out that this dynasty has undergone a lot of transformation under kim jong il. when kim jeong sung passed away, the elites were privileged, it was a one-state type of country where the elites did benefit from that structure. under kim jong il, they're noting that he created a two tier economy. a royal economy and a general economy. the reports we hear of the general economy, the currency reform of november of last year being a disaster causing hyperinflation and difficulties for the people, those point to a gentlemen economy that isn't well administered. but frankly if you look at it from the perspective survival of the kim jong il leadership and regime really depends on the health of the royal pal ace economy so with this type of elite economy there is a big emphasis on how these trading companies are run. it is linked to the korean workers party as well as the military. what looks like a succession platform put in place for kim jung un', the focus on running north korean, incorporated. so with the difficulties and certainly the challenges of leadership on a stand-alone basis i th

north korean leader kim jong-il's third son, kim jong un, who was recently chosen to succeed his father, was in the reviewing platform for the massive parade at kim ill sung square. the north welcomed western media to broadcast live coverage of this event, something that is rarely permitted. earlier, nhk world gave us some insights. >> first of all, what can you tell us looking at the footage of this parade? >> a few things, actually. first, north korea was trying to show that the transition of power from kim jong il to his son, kim jong un, has been proceeding successfully. in 2012 north korea aims to build a great, prosperous, and powerful nation. kim jong il, however, is still dealing with the aftereffects of a stroke that hit him two years ago. so he seems to be trying to accelerate succession. also noteworthy is that the chinese guest stood side by side with kim jong il and his son. he is a member of a chinese communist party's politboro standing committee. this implies kim jong un now controls the -- and china approves this succession. the third thing is he appeared to send some sort of signal to the united states. it may delay a decision to let ame