No signs of succession in North Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea, April 7 (UPI) -- State television reported Thursday that neither of the top North Korea leaders appeared in a parliamentary session eyed for succession clues.

North Korean observers were looking at a rare parliamentary session for clues of a possible transfer of power from ailing leader Kim Jong Il to his son Kim Jong Un.

The elder Kim allegedly suffered a stroke and is in declining health. His son emerged on the political map recently as chairman of the country's Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the session was the first since the younger Kim made his political debut late last year.

China's official Xinhua news agency notes that neither North Korean leader attended the parliamentary session, however, citing reports from the official Korean Central Television network.

Instead, the country's top leaders outlined reports to the Cabinet saying industrial and agricultural activity had improved in 2010.

North Korean Premier Choe Yong Rim noted that the country needed to increase production of consumer goods and grain to "bring about a decisive turn in improving the standard of people's living," Xinhua reported.