North Korean authorities have publicized the age of Kim Jong-un, leader Kim Jong-il's third son and heir apparent, as 27 since June, a year older than he was previously thought to be, NHK quoted experts as saying Thursday.

According to NHK, North Korean officials have told foreign diplomats in Pyongyang since June that Kim junior was born in 1982. Previously, they said he was born on Jan. 8, 1983.

It could be a question of round numbers. The channel speculated that the North is trying to make it look as though Kim junior turns 30 in 2012, because that is the year Pyongyang has set as a goal for achieving a "powerful and prosperous" nation.

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