Troll_Bait
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: [T]eaching experience doesn't matter much. -Lee Young-chan (pictured)
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 Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: N.Korea: Military Shakeup; Successor = Kim Jong-un? |
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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/02/116_39411.html
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| A local expert in inter-Korean affairs said Thursday North Korea's military shakeup a day earlier was seemingly aimed at preparing for the post-Kim Jong-il era. |
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2900995
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�The latest shakeup in the military is a generational change, and confidantes of Kim Jong-il are being appointed to the top posts,� a South Korean official in charge of North Korea intelligence said.
�They did not experience the Korean War, so they talk lightly about war. They are hard-liners.� |
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2009/02/12/63/0302000000AEN20090212005100315F.HTML
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The new top military brass appeared to be combat savvy and are known to be close confidants to Kim, analysts said. The shakeup should not be overstretched to portend imminent military action, they cautioned, but seems to carry an intended message -- the aging leader is still in firm control of the North's military even after a reported stroke in August, and any important decisions, including missile activities and the naming of his successor, will be his own.
Cha Doo-hyeogn, a North Korea specialist with the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, a state-run think tank, said the North Korean leader maintains his absolute power by regularly changing the top military leaders. |
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/kim-jong-woong.htm
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| Writing under his pen name, Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese sushi chef who worked for Kim Jong-il for 13 years wrote a best-selling memoir, "I Was Kim Jong Il's Cook." Specialists following North Korea characterize Fujimoto's accounts as being credible. According to one account, "Fujimoto said, Kim would often bemoan that Kim Jong Chul, his 23-year old son, would never rule because he had turned out to be "like a girl." Fujimoto said Kim doted on his youngest son -- Kim Jong Woon, 18, who looks like the North Korean leader." According to one rumor, Koh Yong Hee had ordered the Workers Party and high officials to call Jong-Woon the "Morning Star King". |
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/KB10Dg01.html
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"There is good possibility for [Kim] Jong-un to become the heir," said Cheong, who heads the Inter-Korean Relations Studies Program at the Sejong Institute. "I hear that people have been lining up around Jong-un - especially since 2000. Jong-un has been widening his sphere of influence and he displays a knack for leadership."
Cheong explained how Jong-un's leadership style differs from that of Jong-nam. "Let's use the example of a basketball game. Let's say the game was just over. Jong-nam will tell the players, 'Good job!' That's it. On the other hand, Jong-un will approach one of the players and ask him why he had passed the ball in such a way at a certain time of the game. Jong-un pays attention to details." |
(Hat Tip to the Marmot's Hole)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/02/13/200902130040.asp
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N.K. military shakeup spawns speculation
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited an artillery unit, accompanied by his newly promoted military chiefs, the Korean Central News Agency said yesterday.
Kim toured the 681st artillery unit of the Korean People's Army where he watched a firing practice. He was flanked by his new defense minister Kim Yong-chun and new chief of the Korean People's Army General Staff Ri Yong-ho, both of whom Kim named Wednesday.
The pair is viewed as two of Kim's closest aides, experts said.
Kim named the two officials earlier than expected, as many had forecast a military reshuffling sometime after North Korea's parliamentary elections on March 9 and before the April 25 anniversary of the army foundation.
The shake-up also came following a steady stream of threats from Pyongyang, apparently aimed at keeping both the United States and South Korea on their toes. The North has threatened military action in disputed areas such as along the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea, criticizing Seoul for not abiding by previous inter-Korean contracts between Kim Jong-il and former South Korean presidents. The multi-party denuclearization talks also remain stalled over past differences between Pyongyang and Washington on nuclear verification protocols.
Pyongyang also seeks to engage Washington to normalize ties with the new president Barack Obama, who it believes would implement softer policies.
But whether its saber-rattling measures are working remains to be seen, as Washington recently upped the offensive towards movements in the North indicating it is getting ready to test-fire a long-distance ballistic missile, the Taepodong-2.
U.S. Defense Minister Robert Gates on Wednesday warned that Washington would shoot down the missile if it approaches American territory. Taepodong-2 is believed to be capable of reaching the western coast of the United States.
Experts said the military reshuffling appears to be more about internal reasons than for diplomatic purposes.
"Kim Jong-il seems to be surrounding himself with top confidants to prepare for a post-Kim era. He wants to strengthen the regime and keep the nation and military together," said Kim Tae-woo, vice president of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.
The 67-year-old leader, who last year allegedly suffered a severe stroke, has been showing signs that he is ready to start the process of bequeathing power to one of this three sons.
Kim Yong-chun was previously vice marshal of the Korean People's Army before his latest appointment as minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission. He graduated from Kim Il Sung Military University in Pyongyang and the Frunze Military Academy of the Soviet Union, according the South Korean Unification Ministry. He has served as vice marshal since 2007.
Ri Yong-ho, who was promoted to head the Korean People's Army General Staff, previously served as chief of the Pyongyang Defense Command.
"Both are key confidants, especially Ri," Kim of the KIDA said.
By Kim Ji-hyun
([email protected])
2009.02.13 |
Edit:
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200902/200902130004.html
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1st Picture of Kim Jong-il's Youngest Son Revealed
The first known photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's youngest son Jong-un has been made public amid rumors that Kim junior is his father's likeliest successor.
KBS on Thursday showed a childhood photo of Kim Jong-un, taken when he was 11. The broadcaster received the photo from Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese cook for Kim senior for 13 years. |
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