The quest for clues to piece together North Korea continues.

The latest is the TV appearance of Jang Song Taek, Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law, who was pictured Sunday while paying respects to Kim Jong Il's body, in full military uniform for the first time.

Usually, Jang had been pictured in a suit and tie.

More from GlobalPost: In-depth series on what's next for North Korea

The four stars on Jang's shoulders, circled below in a photo from Korean state media, confirms his military status as a four-star general and "suggests that he is serving as the regent overseeing Kim Jong Un's fledgling regime," according to Chosun Ibo.

In the photo below, Jang appears on the left, and Kim Jong Un in the center.

In the insert on the upper right, released last Tuesday, Jang wears a Mao suit like Kim Jong Un.

Where did Jang come from?

In his piece for GlobalPost immediately after Kim Jong Il's death Dec. 17, Bradley K. Martin, author of "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty," pointed out that he has been there all along.

He appeared to serve as Kim Jong Il's right-hand man since the Dear Leader became seriously ill a few years ago. His rise as the power-behind-the-throne was therefore expected. Martin wrote: