(CNN) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has added his brother-in-law to a military board in a move analysts say paves the way for an heir, according to South Korea's state-sponsored Yonhap news agency. 

Kim Jong-il has named his brother-in-law Jang Song Thaek to a top military board. 

The addition of his kin to the powerful National Defense Commission also solidifies his standing, Yonhap said. 

Kim was reappointed Thursday as chairman of the military board in his first major public appearance since a reported stroke in August. His brother-in-law, Jang Song Thaek, is considered his right-hand man, according to Yonhap. 

Jang, who has been married to Kim's sister since 1972, currently serves as a director of the Workers' Party, Yonhap said. 

"Kim wants to keep the military in check and secure loyalty to both the military and the party," Cha Doo-hyeogn, a North Korea expert, told Yonhap. 

Kim also increased the number of members in the military agency to 13, from eight, Yonhap said. 

"Overall, the power of the National Defense Commission was strengthened," Seoul's Unification Ministry spokesman, Kim Ho-nyoun, told Yonhap in a briefing. 

There were no other major changes in the new parliament, which signifies that Kim, 67, is prepared to maintain the status quo as he readies someone to take over from him, analysts told Yonhap. 

Kim's recent health problems and long absence from public functions have prompted speculation on whether he is ready to groom an heir to the world's only communist dynasty. But the secretive nation shields its internal affairs from international scrutiny. 
What kind of health problems has he been having?
Who did he name to the top military board?
What is his name?
Who does he consider to be his right hand man?
How long has Jang been married to Kim's sister?
What is Jang
Were there any changes to the parliament?
How many people did he increase the agency with?
How active is Kim in public functions?
What do people speculate that he is getting ready to do?
What do analysts say paves a way for an heir?
What was Kim reappointed as?
What did Kim Ho-nyoun tell Yonhap in a briefing?
he had a stroke
stroke 
his brother-in-law
his brother-in-law
Jang Song Thaek
 Jang Song Thaek
Jang Song Thaek
Jang Song Thaek
46 years today
since 1972
a director of the Workers' Party
 a director of the Workers' Party
no
no other major changes in the new parliament
Five
Kim also increased the number of members in the military agency to 13, from eight
not very
long absence from public functions 
have someone take over from him
someone to take over from him
adding the brother-in-law to a military board
added his brother-in-law to a military board
chairman of the military board
chairman of the military board
Overall, the power of the National Defense Commission was strengthened
Overall, the power of the National Defense Commission was strengthened