By Jon Herskovitz
MOUNT KUMGANG, North Korea (Reuters) - Synchronisedswimmers and singing soldiers marked the birthday on Saturdayof the man dubbed North Korea's "outstanding thinker" by statemedia, but mystery still surrounded the leader's choice ofsuccessor.
The communist world's first dynastic leader, Kim Jong-il,turned 66 as the head of state in a land that treats him like adeity, although his destitute country has fallen more deeplyinto poverty in his years in power.
"Only victory and glory are in store for the army andpeople of the DPRK (North Korea) as long as they have KimJong-il," the North's official KCNA news agency said in one ofseveral commentaries lauding Kim.
Kim usually is conspicuously absent from the celebrationsthe North's propaganda machine calls "the most auspicious dayof the nation".
But that did not stop thousands from dancing in the streetsof Pyongyang, acrobats from tumbling in his honour orsynchronised swimmers performing a choreographed routine to thetune "Our General is Best".
Kim suffers from chronic illness and although he hasboasted about his fitness, attention is focused on which of histhree known sons may succeed him.
North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung was 62 when he tipped KimJong-il as his successor, giving his son decades to build trustwith the country's powerful military.
Dongseo University professor Brian Myers, a specialist inNorth Korea's political ideology, said time may be running outfor Kim to anoint a successor given the years it takes to builda cult of personality fit for a leader of North Korea.
"I am inclining to the view that Kim Jong-il is not allthat concerned what is going to happen after his death," Myerssaid.
"He might well believe that his children would be betteroff with a lot of money and no political baggage in a unifiedKorea under Seoul than they would be having the baton handedoff to them and having them fight to defend it."
INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE
Kim has tested the patience of the world for years throughnuclear arms brinkmanship.
Without nuclear arms, North Korea is just a poor countrywith failed economic policies that cannot produce enough foodto feed its people, analysts said.
With them, it gets a seat at the table with powersincluding the United States -- the nation it argues is tryingto topple it and causes to maintain a military first policythat strains its beleaguered economy to put 1.2 million troopsin service.
North Korea conducted a nuclear test in October 2006,worrying U.S. allies Japan and South Korea which could betargets for Pyongyang.
Under an agreement between the two Koreas, China, Japan,Russia and the United States, North Korea has committed toabandon all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs in exchangefor diplomatic and economic incentives.
A key sticking point in the "six-party" process has beenNorth Korea's failure to meet a December 31 deadline to providea complete declaration of its nuclear programs -- a stepexpected to lead to the removal of some U.S. sanctions.
LEGENDARY STATUS
Outside of North Korea, Kim is seen as man with a bouffanthair-do, drab jumpsuit and platform shoes who has done littleto help his starving people and let the country's industrystagnate.
At home, North Korea's state propaganda has created alegend.
It tells tales of wonder about a man who has penned operas,produced movies and accomplished a feat unmatched in the annalsof professional golf, shooting 11 holes-in-one during the firstround he ever played.
North Korea's official media has said flowers come intobloom when he appears and rainbows fill the sky on hisbirthday. He is, it is said, a man who pilots jet fighters --even though he travels by land for his infrequent trips abroad.
"The DPRK led by Kim Jong-il is a country with a rosyfuture as it is making a leaping advance towards a greatprosperous powerful nation full of immense vigour anddynamism," KCNA said.
(Editing by Jeremy Laurence)
