N.Korean Army Chief 'Refused to Go Quietly'(firefight: 20~30 soldiers killed)

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 07/20/12

[1010RD]

Aren’t American officers also placed politically rather than by merit?

[InvisibleChurch]

In North Korea a double chin would be a dead giveaway of the bourgeois class but the article did say he was a political apparatchik. He's fat just like his Dear Leader.

[ops33]

Choe’s got a nice hat. I think I saw the same thing on a high school band major.

[af_vet_rr]

I suspect the upper officer ranks are a bit unsettled just now.

Wonder if they are feeling like Soviet officers did during the Great Purge.

[miele man]

I would think so but to what extent in and down the ranks, I don’t have a clue. Your Wiki article on the Soviet purge is fascinating. Thanks.

My best guess until I have more information is Jong-un will purge only as many or as little as he can get by with or as many as he needs to. Just read a moment ago he [Jong-un] is now proposing to reform the NoKo economy. Since the economy has been controlled by the military under Ri Yong-ho’s control, re-gaining control over the economy is one of the main reasons for “offing” Ri. To carry out needed reforms will be a dicey proposition and will need the muscle of the military to do so. Will, or can, the military “trust” Jong-un’s motives (trust being almost non-existant in such a state)? How many troops will follow Jong-un’s lead against fellow military who resist? Really precarious situation for Jong-un, but apparently, this is being done at the urging of the Chinese.

“Unsettled” is probably an understatement on my part.