Kim Jong-nam tracked down to Macau hotel as elevation of Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law to No 2 spot in leadership is announced
William Foreman, Associated Press in Seoul
He was once widely touted to succeed his father as leader of North Korea. But Kim Jong-nam reportedly fell out of favour in 2001 when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a fake Dominican Republic passport to visit Tokyo's Disney resort.
Today he was tracked down by a South Korean newspaper to a hotel in the Chinese territory of Macau. Unshaven, paunchy and wearing jeans and blue suede loafers, Kim, 39, dismissed reports he intended to seek asylum in Europe because he lost out in a power struggle with his brother, said the JoongAng Ilbo.
"I have no plans on moving to Europe. Why would I?" he said, while waiting for the lift. "I could go there for a vacation, but I think you have only heard rumours".
The remarks come as it was reported that his father, Kim Jong-il, had promoted a brother-in-law, Jang Song-thaek, to the No 2 spot, a position that could allow the latter to become the next ruler or kingmaker in deciding which son succeeds the Dear Leader.
