Jong-nam: The life and tragic times of N. Korea's forgotten son

A file picture of Kim Jong-nam dressed in a military uniform with his maternal grandmother in January 1975. - AFP

FOR North Korea's heir apparent Kim Jong-un, Oct 10, 2010, was a glorious day.

It was just two weeks since he had been unveiled before the nation as the successor to then-leader Kim Jong-il, his father, at a big conference of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.