A U.S. cable disclosed by WikiLeaks states that Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan projected that the North Korean regime will persist for some time even after the death of Kim Jong-il.

The cable was dated on July 24th, 2009 by the U.S. Embassy. It reads that Kim, who was serving then as presidential senior secretary for foreign and security affairs, presented the view during a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell.

Kim said at the meeting that it is uncertain whether the North Korean leadership would accept Kim Jong-un as a successor to Kim Jong-il, but the North could appoint a regent until Jong-un reaches a certain age.

The minister also said should the North Korean regime collapse, its territory would belong to South Korea, and that Seoul’s ultimate goal is a reunification of the two Koreas.