Kremlinology Updates
Will the failure of The Great Confiscation set back Kim Jong-Eun’s “succession?”
Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong-Hui, is the reported beneficiary of a power shift in North Korea. That makes sense from a certain logical perspective: the regime needs a “bridge figure” to maintain the magic of Kim Il Sung’s dynastic bloodline, and Kim Jong-Eun just isn’t looking very ready to be that figure.
But behind the scenes, my guess is that Jang Song Thaek will end up in control:
Quoting an anonymous source in Washington, Radio Free Asia said yesterday that Jang Song-thaek, brother-in-law of Kim Jong-il and a senior Workers’ Party official, recently had extensive discussions with economic experts. During the sessions, which reportedly went on for several days, participants analyzed the causes of the reform’s disastrous failure and brainstormed ways to revive the economy.
About a year ago, I posted something about “North Korea’s second-in-command” regarding John Glionna’s piece in the Los Angeles Times about Chang Song-thaek [장성íƒ] “emerging as a decisive player.” I could see him emerging as a taewon’gun of sorts.
Bloomberg is reporting that the Asahi Shimbun is reporting that China has asked North Korea to give up the Kim Jong-un succession plan.
I couldn’t find the appropriate story in the English-language Asahi, though.