generalspeaking

Tyranny as a Family Tradition

"Clearly there has been an contingency plan rolled out since early March to bolster Kim Yo Jong's credentials and have her, if and when necessary, seize the reins of power. [Kim Yo Jong is] ambitious and smart [she casts] a softer feminine glow on the brutish facade of her regime."                                                                          "The way for her to build up her credibility and net worth; that is, the way for her to get respect, is not to play nice but be a cruel dictator to her people and a credible nuclear threat to the U.S."                                                                                               Sung-Yoon Lee, professor, Tuft University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

"[The leader is] in a coma, but his life hasn't ended."  "A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo Jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period."                                     "[While Kim Jong Un  has brought his sister into action to serve as his] de facto second-in-command [what remains unclear is whether she has been been designated his successor officially]."                                                                           Chang Song-min former aide, Kim Dae-jung, late president, South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his sister Kim Yo Jong.(Reuters)

There are rumours, there are no confirmations. What is true is that North Korea's little dictator with a short fuse and an adolescent's delight in causing turmoil, Kim Jong Un, of the irascible temperament and the belief in his powerful personal force as one to be reckoned with, has latterly seldom been seen in public. His absence at key moments when his presence should be seen at commemorative events has been notable, but no official word has clarified the situation.

His bad health and imminent death have been whispered here and there, but there is not yet any solid proof that his time as North Korea's dictator is coming to an end. His 33 year old sister, however, appears to be waiting in the wings to inherit the Hermit Kingdom. And experts have issued dire warning that Kim Yo Jong may turn out to be somewhat more intractable and given to tyranny than even her brother.

Retired U.S. army colonel David Maxwell agrees with the summation of Professor Lee: "I haven't seen any evidence, any indication of how she might rule, but my speculation ... is that she would rule with an iron fist", he said from his perspective of involvement, having helped to create the Pentagon's 1999 contingency plan with South Korea for the eventual collapse of the North's regime.

Director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council during the former George W. Bush presidency, Victor Cha predicted that Kim Yo Jong's regime would be as involved in missile launches and confrontations with the West as her brother -- along with a government purge of those she cannot be certain will support her, as she takes the reigns of power, emulating her brother's rule. 

A man walks his bicycle at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 30, 2020. (Cha Song Ho / AP)

Labels: Kim Jong Un, North Korea

posted by Pieface @ Thursday, August 27, 2020