Here's a link that says U.S. officials think he may be gravely ill. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080909/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_nkorea WASHINGTON - U.S. officials think North Korea's unpredictable dictator may be gravely ill. A U.S. intelligence official says there is reason to believe Kim Jong Il is sick after he failed to show up at a North Korean national celebration on Tuesday. A U.S. intelligence official says it is possible that Kim has suffered a stroke. That official and another U.S. source spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence gathering. Kim has not been seen in public for a month and U.S. officials were closely watching Tuesday's military parade for signs to the leader's health. North Koreans call Kim the "Dear Leader" and he holds absolute power in the Stalinist regime.
Does anyone remember what they did when kim il-sung died? that is some crazy stuff. i would provide some youtube links but it is blocked at my work.
Not only that, but isn't he basically a deity too? Hopefully he's not completely dead so they can have some time worshiping a vegetable. That would be hilarious. How will the vegetable god watch James Bond and make love to way underage girls?
I read yesterday that his sons are considered to be too flaky to be the new Revered One. I guess by the Generals that run segments of the nation like fiefdoms. There probably will be a back channel power struggle. Maybe some general will see a thawing of relations and opening up to the world as his power play. Generals do pretty well as robber barons.
Even so, every hand-off of power has the potential for shake-ups. The next guy may be too weak to keep power and be overthrown. Or, too smart to keep going as they have. Seeing as North Korea has nowhere to go but up, any change is probably good or, at worst, even.
neither sounds attractive Either a flaky guy with nukes or a bunch of generals. . with nukes Rocket River
I am assuming the one who didn't try to sneak into Tokyo Disneyland. But who really knows? Whoever gets the Army's backing will rule the country.
The thing about nukes is that that they have no real function for people who aren't looking to go see the virgins. If you use them, it's the end of the world, case closed. North Korea uses them as like any crime boss uses his hoods, to collect protection money. As sad and repressive as the nation may be their only real threat is collaboration with Islamic militants. I guess these cult of personality demagogues see their way as the only way to ensure stability among the warlords. I've certainly gotten that feeling about Saddam. If you don't ruthlessly establish yourself as the ultimate power you always have to be fighting turf wars.
I don't think this has been mentioned yet but don't some countries think he died 3-4 years ago and his doubles have been pretending to be him ever since?
