Japan’s Jiji Press says an internal feud is intensifying in North Korea over who should succeed leader Kim Jong-il.

Quoting diplomatic sources, the report says Kim’s brother-in-law, Jang Song-thaek, is pushing for Kim’s eldest son, Jong-nam, to succeed his father while top military officials are seeking to have Kim’s second or third son take over the top leader’s place.

According to the report that came out on Monday, such internal conflict is likely to have led to the North’s recent rocket launch and Pyongyang's hard-line stances on inter-Korean and international affairs.