Who Will Be Kim Jong-il's Successor?
The Potential Leaders of North Korea Once It’s “Dear Leader” Dies
Jan 22, 2009
Reports of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il, falling ill have forced officials in the nation’s capital, Pyongyang, to finally tend to the issue of a potential successor to North Korea’s “Dear Leader”.
The new leader will undoubtedly appear from one of the three strands that make up the North Korean elite: the Kim family, the military and the party leadership.
Potential Leaders from the Kim Family
Kim Jong-il assumed control from his father, Kim Il-sung, thanks to a hereditary transfer of power; therefore a similar move may also take place this time around.
A transfer of this nature would not be without problems however, because all three of his sons were born outside of wedlock. Another complication arises because his three sons were born to two different mothers.
Naturally, if officials did decide that handing power over to one of Mr. Kim’s sons is the best option then the logical choice would be his eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, 37.
In spite of such an obvious succession of power, Jong-nam fell from favour when he failed to gain entry to Japan using a false passport in 2001.
Other sons: Kim Jong-chol, approximately 27, and Kim Jong-un, around 25, are potential candidates but unlike their father, neither has been groomed meticulously to one day take over the reins.
Potential Leaders from the North Korean Military
The military is held in high esteem within North Korean borders, thus a leading military figure from the National Defence Commission (NDC), a body of 10 men, could become the country’s new leader.
Jo Myong-rok, 84, is Kim Jong-il’s second in command in the military, yet his old age and deteriorating health are unlikely to help him take control.
Ri Myong-su, 71, the director of the administrative department of the NDC is said to have been a close companion of Kim Jong-il’s for many decades. Today, he reports directly to Mr. Kim.
General Hyon Chol-hae, 74, of the Korean People’s Army, is also a close friend of Kim Jong-il’s. Hyon Chol-hae was one of a select few that stood on the leaders’ platform during the recent 60th anniversary of North Korea celebrations.
Potential Leaders from the Workers’ Party of Korea
Kim Yong-nam, 80, is head of the North Korean parliament’s leadership council and is the de facto head of state. It is noted by scholars that he is second in power behind Kim Jong-il.
Nevertheless, Kim Yong-nam is by no means prominent in North Korean revolutionary mythology, a fact that will no doubt dent his chances of becoming the country’s leader.
Chang Song-taek, 62, is Kim Jong-il’s brother-in-law who remained close to the “Dear Leader” until 2003.
In 2003 Mr. Chang was “purged” and consequently sent for re-education after gaining too much influence. Currently, he works in the administrative division of the Workers’ Party after being rehabilitated.
Mr. Chang could turn out to be a dark horse for leadership as he is rumoured to have friends in key posts.
Evidently, an important decision lies ahead for officials in Pyongyang. When the dust settles, they just may take the relatively safe option by opting for a collective leadership of military leaders.
Reference:
Who Will Succeed N Korea's Kim Jong-il?
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