The eldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il sys his father alone can decide on the power succession of the communist regime and that he is not interested.

Kim Jong-nam made the comment upon arrival at an airport in Beijing Saturday, responding to reporter questions about Pyongyang's succession plans.

He said no one is sure how his father will decide on the successor, but that Kim Jong-il is the only one who can do so.

Kim Jong-nam declined to answer sensitive questions, including one of if he has the support of his uncle Jang Song-thaek, the brother-in-law of the country's leader and head of the North's secret police.

Kim Jong-nam said it is inappropriate to make assumptions on the succession when nothing has been decided on, and told reporters to ask his youngest brother directly if he was tapped as successor.

The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency recently quoted well-informed sources close to North Korea as saying Kim Jong-il has picked his third son, Jong-un, as his successor.