By
Tae Hyun Yoon
Tae Hyun Yoon
Junior
Reporter
Reporter
SEOUL,
South Korea – As the North Korean state media reported infamous leader Kim Jong
Il’s death, Asian stocks plummeted and panicked South Korean officials
hurriedly organized an emergency meeting to discuss what to do in case of a
sudden attack.
South Korea – As the North Korean state media reported infamous leader Kim Jong
Il’s death, Asian stocks plummeted and panicked South Korean officials
hurriedly organized an emergency meeting to discuss what to do in case of a
sudden attack.
The
unprecedented event struck fear into the minds of many people, and the possible
repercussions range from a civil war to a stable transition for Kim Jong Un,
the dictator’s son.
unprecedented event struck fear into the minds of many people, and the possible
repercussions range from a civil war to a stable transition for Kim Jong Un,
the dictator’s son.
Formany of us, the most pressing question is: how would we continue to maintain
international security after this incident?
Right
now, Kim Jong Un is quickly preparing for his transition from ‘Great Successor’
to ‘Great Leader’ of North Korea. He
must focus on first achieving stability in order to ensure a safe hand-down of
authority from his deceased father.
now, Kim Jong Un is quickly preparing for his transition from ‘Great Successor’
to ‘Great Leader’ of North Korea. He
must focus on first achieving stability in order to ensure a safe hand-down of
authority from his deceased father.
The
state media in North Korea is trying to make the transition of power look smooth
and stable, but in reality, things might not go so smoothly for Kim Jong Un. Compared
to Kim Jong Il, who had a full 23 years under his father’s leadership learning
how to manage political affairs, the 29-year-old Kim Jong Un has had barely
more than a single year to hastily prepare himself for the role of dictator.
state media in North Korea is trying to make the transition of power look smooth
and stable, but in reality, things might not go so smoothly for Kim Jong Un. Compared
to Kim Jong Il, who had a full 23 years under his father’s leadership learning
how to manage political affairs, the 29-year-old Kim Jong Un has had barely
more than a single year to hastily prepare himself for the role of dictator.
While
his father had enough time to gain the respect of party members and military
officials, Kim Jong Un will inevitably suffer lack of faith from his subjects,
who are mainly older than him.
Furthermore, Kim Jong Un has not had the time to prove his entitlement to
the position of Great Leader, and has gained influence solely through his
father, who is now deceased.
his father had enough time to gain the respect of party members and military
officials, Kim Jong Un will inevitably suffer lack of faith from his subjects,
who are mainly older than him.
Furthermore, Kim Jong Un has not had the time to prove his entitlement to
the position of Great Leader, and has gained influence solely through his
father, who is now deceased.
Considering
these setbacks, North Korea has some serious problems ahead. A rare party struggle may actually occur in
this otherwise one-minded state, in which older Workers’ Party members fight
against the young Kim Jong Un for power.
these setbacks, North Korea has some serious problems ahead. A rare party struggle may actually occur in
this otherwise one-minded state, in which older Workers’ Party members fight
against the young Kim Jong Un for power.
These
elder members have a good chance of overthrowing Kim’s Regime, because they
have the respect of military officials with whom they have worked for many
decades. Kim Jong Il’s brother-in-law, Chang Sung Taek, is a perfect example of
one such individual; at age 65, he has experience on his side and has served 29
years as a senior party member. He also has the respect of others who may be
able to renounce the current regime.
elder members have a good chance of overthrowing Kim’s Regime, because they
have the respect of military officials with whom they have worked for many
decades. Kim Jong Il’s brother-in-law, Chang Sung Taek, is a perfect example of
one such individual; at age 65, he has experience on his side and has served 29
years as a senior party member. He also has the respect of others who may be
able to renounce the current regime.
Furthermore,
Kim Jong Il’s fourth wife, Kim Ok, is also expected to play an important role
in her stepson’s transition, and her taste for power may result in her using the younger Kim as a puppet, controlling North Korea by herself in reality. If this occurs, the military may be divided
between loyalists to Kim Jong Un’s regime and dissidents that hold allegiance
to other party members, leading to a huge civil conflict that may spread
tensions across the world.
Kim Jong Il’s fourth wife, Kim Ok, is also expected to play an important role
in her stepson’s transition, and her taste for power may result in her using the younger Kim as a puppet, controlling North Korea by herself in reality. If this occurs, the military may be divided
between loyalists to Kim Jong Un’s regime and dissidents that hold allegiance
to other party members, leading to a huge civil conflict that may spread
tensions across the world.
If
some countries try to support the contemporary government, and others attempt
to help the insurgents gain power, the world may erupt into violent conflicts, and
even war.
some countries try to support the contemporary government, and others attempt
to help the insurgents gain power, the world may erupt into violent conflicts, and
even war.
We
must prepare for what is ahead to ensure international stability. In order to assume control over the whole of
North Korea, the new regime will need support from other nations.
must prepare for what is ahead to ensure international stability. In order to assume control over the whole of
North Korea, the new regime will need support from other nations.
Provided that we help the young successor gain power, we can
slowly convince him to introduce a free market to his nation and disable his
nuclear program step-by-step in Six-Party talks. Taking things slowly from there would be the
best way to avoid international trouble.
slowly convince him to introduce a free market to his nation and disable his
nuclear program step-by-step in Six-Party talks. Taking things slowly from there would be the
best way to avoid international trouble.
While it may seem convenient, mere observation may cause us to
head towards some serious unrest.
head towards some serious unrest.
If we sit back and watch as bystanders, the instability in the
Korean peninsula could kill us all in a global war.
Korean peninsula could kill us all in a global war.
