Donald Kirk: Uncle Jang emerges as real power in North Korea.

North Korea's anointed "Great Successor" Kim Jong-un will have to rule from under the thumb of an uncle widely regarded as "the regent" who is both coaching him on how to govern, and telling him what to do. That is the view of South Korean analysts as Kim Jong-il lies in a glass coffin in Pyongyang, and weeping mourners file by for a last glimpse of the man who ruled North Korea for 17 years, before dying last Saturday. Behind the scenes of the mourning, a backstage plan to ensure a smooth transition of power has thrust Jang Song-thaek into the spotlight. The brother-in-law of the former leader is thought to wield the most power in the North Korean administration and is joined by his wife Kim Kyong-hui, and the highest ranking military commander, General Ri Young -ho in the country's most powerful decision-making group. Ha Tae-keung, director of a small short -wave radio station that broadcasts news into North Korea for two hours a day, believes Jang exercises the most power of all those now scheming for influence in this time of transition. "It's not a junta," Mr Ha said. "One person has the most power, and that's Jang." Kim Jong-un, his father's third son, appears to be the unquestioned heir to the appearance of power, but clearly will be following Jang's advice before attempting to assert his own authority.