SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law was promoted and a premier who apologized for a currency debacle was replaced today in a rare parliamentary session with strong signs that the secretive nation was preparing a hereditary succession of power.

The session came amid worsening economic woes, pressing succession issues and a South Korean campaign to get the United Nations to punish Pyongyang for a ship attack in March that killed 46 sailors. North denies sinking the ship.

Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said the lawmakers approved a major leadership reshuffle.

The most notable change was the promotion of Kim's brother-in-law, Jang Song Thaek. He was named vice chairman of the all-powerful National Defense Commission, which makes security policy. Jang is widely believed to be a key backer of the North Korean leader's third son, Jong Un, who several analysts think will be his father's successor.

Jang is married to Kim's younger sister and is said to be poised to play a kingmaker role. Many believe he might lead a collective leadership after Kim's death until the new leader takes over.

The new premier was identified as Choe Yong Rim, a parliament member who replaces Kim Yong Il, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The former Premier Kim offered a rare public apology in February after a failed currency revamp triggered social unrest and starvation.

NICOSIA, Cyprus— The Vatican said Sunday the international community is ignoring the plight of Christians in the Middle East, and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq and political instability in Lebanon have forced thousands to flee the region.A working paper released during Pope Benedict XVI's pilgrimage to Cyprus to prepare for a crisis summit of Middle East bishops in Rome in October also cites the "extremist current" unleashed by the rise of "political Islam" as a threat to Christians.In his final Mass in Cyprus on Sunday, Benedict said he was praying that the October meeting will focus the attention of the international community "on the plight of those Christians in the Middle East who suffer for their beliefs."

CANBERRA, Australia — A surfer was in a stable condition today after he was attacked by a shark off the Australian west coast.Michael Bedford was rescued by a friend and a group of fishermen after he was attacked twice by a shark on Sunday off Conspicuous Cliff Beach, south of the Western Australia state capital Perth.He suffered deep gashes to his right leg, a newspaper reported.Bedford was hospitalized in stable condition today, a Health Department spokesman said on the department's condition of anonymity.