Japan's Kyodo News says that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's son and political heir Jong-un has been confirmed as number three in power in the North Korean regime.

Kyodo says the North's official Korean Central News Agency introduced Jong-un after Kim Jong-il and parliamentary leader Kim Yong-nam during its report on a military parade held Friday to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the nation's founding.

The political heir was elected vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in September last year. He was then regarded as ranking sixth in power but his position has been advanced as verified in the Friday ceremony.