Radio Free Asia (RFA) is reporting that North Korean authorities have distributed portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s heir apparent Kim Jong-un to government officials.

RFA said the distribution signifies that Pyongyang is moving toward a hereditary succession.

The broadcaster said the portraits have been distributed since November sixth to party members, the judiciary and security agency officials.

The report speculated that the portraits could be distributed to the North Korean public as soon as the middle of November.