Whither North Korea?
So far, the succession of power in North Korea from Kim Jong-il to to his son, Kim Jong-un, seems to be proceeding in an orderly fashion. But, despite appearances, few totalitarian regimes have ever maintained a monolithic inner circle, and North Korea is unlikely to be an exception to this rule.
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SEOUL – According to North Korean state television, the heart attack that killed Kim Jong-il on December 17 was “due to severe mental and physical stress from overwork.” That report instantly raised a question in my mind: if we accept the regime’s diagnosis, why did Kim need to work so hard, despite his frail health? In some sense, his sudden death seems to symbolize the helplessness of a desperate leader confronting overwhelming challenges.