Jubilee Post News & Views
News Desk
The media across the world is focusing upon one more thing other than the coronavirus. it is North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and his health, speculations about whom is doing rounds.
Despite North Korean media is propagating that all is well in North Korea but the news about Kim Jong-Un’s health and even about his death is spreading fast.
It all started on April 15. Speculations about his illness went strong when Kim did not attend the isolated country’s foundation day and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the country’s founder 108 birthday programme. He was last seen in public evet on April 11. It is said his sister has taken charge temporarily.
But no official confirmation came from any agency. The US president Donald Trump had also wished North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ‘good luck’ after reports came up suggesting Kim could be incapacitated after a cardiovascular surgery.
But two days before North Korea had said to a American channel CNN that Kim was alive and healthy. America also said that there they could not notice any suspicious activity that indicated poor health or death of Kim. But speculations will now cease when Kim himself or any of his family members come out and refute speculations.
But if this news is true the big question is who will take the reigns of the country after Kim. How will the next successor of the country chosen? Kim family has been ruling north Korea since 1948, when the country came in to existence.
Reports suggested that Kim recently had cardiovascular surgery. Though intelligence reports suggests Kim could be incapacitated but as there is little access to news from North Korea, the isolated country, hence none say anything straight.
On the other hand South Korean officials refuted such news. They denied the North Korea leader, Kim Jong-un, undergoing treatment or anything about the heart surgery. It may be mentioned that Kim’s grandfather and father, Kim Jong-il, who had ruled before him, died of heart trouble.
The founder of North Korea Kim El Sung had created a myth that his family was one in the families of the pious Mount Paektu that has preserved the tradition. Hence they created a belief the family was born to rule. The new leader is announced by the North Korean parliament called Peoples’ Assembly.
Kim dynasty, referred to in North Korea as the Mount Paektu bloodline, is a three-generation lineage of leadership descending from first leader, Kim Il-sung.
In the year 1994 after the death of Kim El Sung it was Kim Jong El, the father of Kim Jong-Un who became the leader and during his rule he further established the family in the country. Kim Jong-Un was elected the next ruler. Kim Jong-Un has a family and kids but none have seen them even. People don’t even know their names.
None of them have been trained to take charge after Kim Jong-Un and there could be a vacuum after him. The big question is who will be the next leader?
Kim Yo Jong
Kim Yo Jong has emerged as one of her older brother’s closest aides. Earlier this month, she was reinstated as an alternate Politburo member. As such, she’s the only other member of the Kim family with anything approaching real power in the regime. There are many contenders but the first row can have names of Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong-Un, in the first place as the leader next. Liker her brother the sister too has had her education is Switzerland and she is a member of the polit bureau. She is 31-years and is the director of the publicity and activism department.
She is also famous as the ‘secret diary’ of her brother and is believed that she plays a key role in daily work of Kim Jong-Un. It is also believed she gives advise on policy matters too.
It is but said that she takes decisions in a hurry and one of her act was criticized across the globe. When Kim Jong-Un was meeting the US president she was peeping from behind and this picture went viral. But this was not the first such act by her that caused embarrassment.
The other big question is whether the North Korea is ready for a woman leader at the top? This comes is pertinent as women do hold role in political and social set up but are hardly seen at key and strong positions. Will she be able to deal with the patriarchal society being one from the Kim family?
Kim Jong-chul, the elder brother of Kim Jong-Un
Born 25 September 1981, Kim Jong-chul is a son of former North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il. Initially he was projected leader by the father but as he did not showed interest in army and politics hence his younger brother Kim Jong-Un was made the leader. Now the question is will elder brother get the reigns?
Kim Jong-chul is not seen publicly even now. He was last seen in 2015 in London in a concert. Those who know politics of North Korea say there is hardly any chance for him to get power in North Korea.
Choe Ryong-hae
Vice Marshall Choe Ryong-hae is said to be the right hand of Kim Jong-Un. He is also the president of the supreme peoples’ assembly in North Korean parliament. Kim trusts him like anything and hence he has a lot of responsibilities too. He is said to be one of the most powerful person in North Korea.
Hay has a key role in securing Kim position as a leader hence he was given the honour. When Kim took over he gave several promotions to Hay. His name is seen in country’s media despite he is not part of the Kim family. A person other than the family can be a leader hence his name too is a strong contender.
Kim Pyong il
Kim Pyong il, the uncle of Kim Jong-Un and a bureaucrat is another contender for the top post. He is the cousin of Kim Jong il. He is a member of the Mount Paektu bloodline. He was considered as danger for Kim Jong il hence was kept out of North Korea. He came back at the age of 65 after retirement. His leadership is considered safe for the country.
Kim Jae-ryong
Kim Jae-ryong, the Premier of the Cabinet North Korea is not a family member of the Kim family. But he could be suitable candidate for leadership. His name has Kim but he is not a family member. In fact North Korea and South Korea have Kim a common name.
Many people did not knew Kim Jae-ryong, before 2016. But later he went on to success. He reached North Korean parliament and in a month he was elected the PM. He became member of the Politburoand a place in central ministry.
