HE IS an enigma from the world's most secretive state, a behind-the-scenes political operative known mostly as a trusted brother-in-law to North Korean strongman Kim Jong-il.

But Jang Song-taek recently emerged as a decisive player in the drama of who might succeed the ailing 67-year-old in a country that remains defiant in the face of international pressure to dismantle its nuclear arsenal.

Looking weak after a suspected stroke in August, Kim last week publicly anointed Jang as his second in charge, naming him on the powerful National Defence Commission, analysts said.

Pyongyang watchers are divided on the move's significance. Some say Jang could assume power when Kim dies or becomes incapacitated, while others said Jang would merely become the regime's caretaker, ensuring an orderly succession to one of Kim's three sons.

"North Korea is a Confucian society wedded to clan and tribe. Kim Jong-il believes only blood clan can continue the dynasty - and that means one of his three sons," said Jang Sung-min, author of the book War And Peace: Where Is North Korea Headed After Kim Jong-il? "But if Kim is incapacitated and does not prepare carefully for his sons, Jang may try to take advantage and seize power."

Analysts said Jang's life and career so far had been marked by luck, family connections and political acumen. Born in 1946, Jang reportedly studied in Moscow and was educated at Pyongyang's elite Kim Il-sung University, where he met Kim Jong-il's sister, Kyong-hui.

But the love story had a North Korean twist. Kim Il-sung disapproved of his daughter's relationship and had Jang moved to another university. But the two were later married. Both were 26.

Now part of the Kim clan, Jang wielded clout within the regime, especially after Kim Jong-il replaced his late father in 1998. Jang's influence lasted several years before he was placed under house arrest in 2004.

Jang allegedly had become enemies with Kim Jong-il's second wife, Ko Young-hee, who believed he was scheming behind her husband's back. ""She made sure that her rival was taken out of commission until after she died of cancer in 2004," the author said.

"[Jang] is a smart man with rationality and reason. Who knows, if he took over for Kim, he might take North Korea in a totally different direction."

Los Angeles Times