Kim Jong Un, the successor of Kim Jong Il in North Korea, has assumed another leadership position within the North Korean power structure.

Rodong Sinmun of the Communist Party referred to Kim Jong Un as leader of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee. The post will give Kim Jong Un power over one of the country's highest decision-making bodies.

In a dispatch late Saturday, the official Korean Central News Agency called General Kim the "supreme leader of the revolutionary armed forces." Earlier Saturday, KCNA hailed Mr. Kim as "supreme commander" - the first use of that title, also used by his late father.

Despite having little military experience and being in his late 20s, Kim Jong Un holds the military rank of a four-star general.

North Korea proclaimed the beginning of the Kim Jong Un era Thursday, describing him as the "successor" of the nation's revolutionary undertakings "and leader of its people."

An editorial in the Rodong Sinmun said Kim Jong Un should continue the teachings of Kim Jong Il while moving forward on a path of self-reliance. It urged the nation to rally behind the young leader and faithfully uphold his leadership.

Kim Jong Il's death after 17 years in power has sparked regional and Western concerns about the future of a country with a large army, a history of deep animosity toward its southern neighbor, and holding broad nuclear ambitions.

In Seoul, President Lee Myung-bak told political leaders Thursday that the change of command in North Korea could result in increased flexibility in the two Koreas' relations.