Another article I read had more detail on the economic reforms being put in place to make the NK economy function more like China's. _____ Kim Jong-Un May Have Just Suppressed a Coup It appears Kim Jong-un's consolidation of power this week was far more turbulent than outsiders were led to believe. How much more turbulent remains subject to dispute. On Friday unconfirmed reports emerged from South Korea of a gun battle between North Korean soldiers over the ouster of army chief Ri Yong-ho. According to the South Korean daily The Chosun Ilbo, soldiers led by Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae attempted to detain Ri after he was dismissed from his position on Monday. According to South Korean government officials, that's when guards protecting Ri opened fire on the soldiers in a gun battle that left 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers dead. The source also said "We cannot rule out the possibility that Ri was injured or even killed in the firefight." Backing up that story, an official at South Korea's Ministry of National Defense told The Korea Times that the order may have been an attempt to suppress a military coup. “It is highly likely that Ri’s security squad engaged in a firefight with troops deployed to execute the leadership’s instruction to unseat him and prevent a possible coup against the top military official,” the official said. Western news agencies have been unable to confirm any details of the supposed gun battle, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Ri's departure was not due to an "illness." That point was cemented today in a blockbuster report by Reuters Benjamin Kang Lim, who cited a source "with ties to both Pyongyang and Beijing" saying that Ri was purged after he opposed Kim's attempt to takeover the North Korean economy, which has historically been under the control of the military. Lim reports that Kim sought to impose a series of agricultural and economic reforms that Ri opposed: "Ri Yong-ho was the most ardent supporter of Kim Jong-il's 'military first' policy," the source told Reuters, referring to Kim Jong-un's late father who plunged the North deeper into isolation over its nuclear ambitions, abject poverty and political repression. The biggest problem was that [Ri] opposed the government taking over control of the economy from the military, the source said, requesting anonymity to avoid repercussions. Boosting the credibility of its source, Reuters noted that he or she "has correctly predicted events in the past, including North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006 days before it was conducted, as well as the ascension of [Kim's uncle Jang Song-thaek.]" Given the draconian secrecy of North Korea's leadership, it's impossible to know if coup rumors are true. Still, if the Reuters report can be trusted it appears that Kim's "peaceful" consolidation of power was anything but. link
It's intriguing, to be sure. Would the group trying to perform a coup attempt participating in the world more? Or is Kim Jong Un the one trying to participate and they didn't like him messing with the old way? Will we ever know? It sounds like Kim Jong Un is trying to mess with things (perhaps for the better of NK?), and the old military guys don't like it.
Wouldn't be surprised if China makes NK their manufacturing hub (like China is to us) if Deng Xiaopo like reforms go through. It would be benefical for the South to take on that role, but the tension and mistrust is too high.
South Korea parallels the US when it comes to their economic sector divisions. Most of their economy is based off service industries, not sure how effective becoming a manufacturing hub for China would be when China could get away with paying lower wages in NK where their primary sector is manufacturing and industry. Also... Here's to hoping Kim Jong Un isn't a psychotic megalomaniac like his ancestors.
Kim Jong-un's uncle emerges as power behind throne Jang Song-taek, the uncle of Kim Jong-un has solidified his position and is systematically dismantling the power structure put in place by Kim Jong-il before his death in 2011, South Korea's Chosun.com reports. Jang is married to a younger sister of the late Korean leader. The news agency affiliated with Chosunilbo, a major South Korean newspaper, cites an informed source saying that Jang has removed U Dong-chuk, first deputy director of the State Security Department along with army chief, Ri Yong-ho. Both were appointed by Kim Jong-il in January 2009, when he also selected his third and youngest son of Kim Jong-il over an elder son living said to be living in Macau. It is also reported that Ri Je-gang, a one-time first deputy director of the Workers Party's powerful Organization and Guidance Department, and Jang's greatest rival, died in a mysterious car accident in May 2010, just a few days before Jang was to be promoted. Spy chief Ryu Kyong was also accused of treason early in 2011 following a visit to Seoul and was purged, Chosun.com said. Jang seems to have been intent on getting rid of his rivals since 2010, the newswire reported. "There'd be no reason for Kim Jong-un himself to dismantle after just seven months in office the support structure his father built for him," said Baek Seung-joo at the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses to the wire. "The shadow of Jang Song-taek looms large" over the young leader. link
Is Jang thought to be a reformer intent on changing things for the good or is he just solidifying his influence by throwing out old guard members that were his rivals?
