Military rule likely if N.Korea's Kim dies -report

SEOUL, Dec 19 (Reuters) North Korea's government may lapse into a brief coma if leader Kim Jong-il dies suddenly, but it will come back to life with a military takeover, a South Korean intelligence report obtained today said.

The intelligence committee from South Korea's parliament said the North Korean system would persevere even in the event of a sudden death of its Dear Leader Kim.

''Kim Jong-il's death means North Korea's governing system will lapse into a coma,'' it said. ''Top military officials are likely to fight one another to take over governing power.'' Kim, 64, has not named a successor in the world's only communist dynasty. He has three known sons and speculation has been rife for years as to which one he will select.

Without a clear successor who has established himself within the corridors of power in Pyongyang, the report said the greatest likelihood will be for military rule in the country where Kim's top policy priority has been to put the military first.

One leading candidate for a new leader would be O Kuk-ryol, a 75-year-old general and former army chief of staff who has ranked second behind Kim in the country's powerful Central Military Commission.

''O Kuk-ryol is loved by Kim and is seen as a very reliable person who also knows South Korea well,'' the report said.

Kim Il-sung named his son Kim Jong-il as his successor in 1974.

The younger Kim took power in 1994 when Kim Il-sung died at age of 82.

REUTERS PDM ND1536