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Kim gave order before dad's death revealed

China's state television shows footage of Kim Jong-un looking at his father's, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, body laying in state in Pyongyang December 20, 2011. China on Monday offered its "deep condolences" on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, which analysts said will spur China's leaders to boost ties with Pyongyang to prevent instability. UPI/Stephen Shaver
1 of 2 | China's state television shows footage of Kim Jong-un looking at his father's, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, body laying in state in Pyongyang December 20, 2011. China on Monday offered its "deep condolences" on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, which analysts said will spur China's leaders to boost ties with Pyongyang to prevent instability. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un, heir-apparent to lead North Korea after his father's death, issued his first military order before his father's death was revealed, officials said.

A source in South Korea said the younger Kim told all military units to stop field exercises and training and return to their bases before his father's death was announced Monday, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Wednesday. Kim Jung Il died two days before the announcement.

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"This is a direct example showing Kim Jong Un's complete control over the military," the source told Yonhap, adding it indicated the younger Kim was poised to become the commander of North Korea's military.

Kim Jong Un became vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party and a four-star general last year.

The United States reached out to North Korea Wednesday, as U.S. officials met North Korean diplomats at the United Nations in New York to discuss possible food aid for North Korea, The New York Times reported. Talks began in Beijing last year.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the Beijing talks were inconclusive, "so we're going to have to keep talking about this," she said. "And given the mourning period, frankly, we don't think we'll be able to have much more clarity and resolve these issues before the new year."

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