South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) told lawmakers in that country on Thursday that communist North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has begun the process of formalizing his daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju-ae, as his heir to the leadership of the country.

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers on Thursday that it believes the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is close to being designated as the country's future leader as he moves to extend the family dynasty to a fourth generation.