The longtime North Korean dictator has died this week from what is believed to have been heart problems. This brings a period of history for North Korea to an end. This leader certainly was remarkable in many ways. He was a hard line communist and the son of the late Kim il Sung.
He recently appointed his youngest son Kim Jong Un as his heir apparent. There are many questions raised by his death that time will have to answer. Kim had a tight fisted grip on power but since he is gone the world will wait and see what type of leader that his son will be. The immediate problem is that the country is nuclear capable and may go through a period of instability. This is a dangerous situation to say the least.
The younger Kim also inherits the problem of utter poverty among the 24 million people of his country. The poverty is so intense that it is even affecting the military where North Korean troops have told stories of starvation within the ranks. This is significant because their troops are normally the best nourished citizens and kept in good health in case they are needed for war. Poverty is due for the most part to international sanctions against them because of their ongoing nuclear program.
These are serious problems even for a seasoned leader but the young Kim has not had the opportunity of political experience. This makes the next few months critical to the worlds affairs.
Kim was designated the countrys leader yesterday in an official statement announcing his fathers death, and North Koreas military pledged its support. The official Korean Central News Agency called him a great successor to carry on his fathers legacy.
Before taking his posts and being named a four-star general last year, Kim Jong Un had never been mentioned in official reports. Kim Jong Il last year also elevated allies including his sister Kim Kyong Hui, brother-in-law Jang Song Thaek and Workers Party of Korea official Choe Ryong Hae to act as guardians for his untested son.
If this young ruler is wise he will listen to the voices of those who have been around for a while. He only has a little over a years time in preparation for the job.
I imagine that the reason that he was selected for the position is because his late father felt that he would follow more closely in his footsteps. I believe that if the new President chose to not adopt all of his fathers hard line views he will get more support for the followers in the military and North Korean government. I say this because his father was unyielding to a fault and I am sure that his subordinates knew it. I am sure that they see the poverty and they have to know that things can be handled just a little bit differently.
Some may be tempted to overthrow him because he is at a vulnerable position right now.
Many analysts say that the response of Kim Jong Uns uncle, Jang Song Thaek, will be key to the regimes future. As vice chairman of the National Defense Commission, Jang is the No. 2 government official. Granting or withdrawing his support may make the difference for Kim Jong Un.
This is also an ideal time for the US and South Korea to apply pressure to bring down this regime. The Kim family has been in power for many years and there may be support in the ranks of North Korean military and government officials.
Military Ring Express
