A South Korean civic group says rumors are spreading within North Korea that its leader Kim Jong-il has picked his third son, Jong-un, as his successor.

Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights quoted a North Korean source as saying top military and government officials in the North’s province of Hwanghae expect Kim Jong-un to assume his father’s post.

Open Radio for North Korea, a broadcaster that airs programs for listeners within the communist country, also quoted a source in the North as saying that soldiers in North Hamgyeong Province have referred to Kim Jong-un as their "dear leader." The broadcaster said such a move suggests that the North is in the process of notifying its people that Kim's youngest son will be taking over the top post.