Posted on 02/25/2007 9:02:43 PM PST by Mount Athos
THE world's only Communist dynasty may come to an abrupt end, with reports that North Korea is to set up a military junta once the current leader, Kim Jong-il, leaves office.
Kim, who "inherited" the job from his father, Kim Il-sung, has previously tipped his eldest son, Jong-nam, 36, as heir apparent.
But sources in China, which has the closest diplomatic links with the rogue state, said he had changed his mind a few years ago and was now preparing to introduce a "collective" military-based leadership.
Kim, who recently turned 65, has yet to announce the change officially, but he has reportedly set up a committee to test the new system.
One source said: "Chairman Kim, who had picked his eldest son, Jong-nam, to succeed to him, changed his mind a few years ago and is preparing to allow in a collective leadership system.
"I understand Chairman Kim is test-running the collective leadership with the military authorities in the centre."
If realised, the move would mark a departure from a long-anticipated father-to-son power transfer. Decades before he assumed the role, Kim had been designated as successor by his father, who founded North Korea. But he officially became leader only in 1997, three years after his father's death - an accession that created the world's first communist dynasty.
In the past ten years, Kim, known as "dear leader" has managed to stay in power, despite international sanctions, a economy in crisis and a number of severe famines.
The main reason appears to have been his policy of staying close to the leaders of the country's military, commanding more than a million soldiers.
Kim's three sons are often cited as possible successors during speculation about who will replace a man who would now be classed as a pensioner in the UK.
Jong-nam reportedly fell out of favour after he was deported from Japan in 2001 on suspicion of trying to enter the country using a forged Dominican Republic passport. He was apparently trying to visit the Disneyland theme park in the country.
There have been reports that Jong-nam, who was educated in Switzerland and now lives usually in Macau, does not want to become the next leader and is making that point with his occasionally erratic behaviour.
Kim's other known sons are Jong-chol, believed to be 25, and Jong-un, thought to be 23. However, they are apparently considered too young to take over.
Jong-chol, believed to be a fan of Eric Clapton, is also thought to have a medical condition.
Other members of North Korea's politburo are thought to be unlikely candidates to replace Kim, as they are mostly ten or 15 years older than he is.
Analysts believe the issue of succession represents a source of vulnerability for Kim, especially as he becomes older and may not be able to carry on playing an active role.
A South Korean intelligence report in December said that if Kim died without a clear successor, one of the country's senior generals would eventually take over.
This too funny Chia Pet won't appoint his sons LOL! sound like Henry 2 of England
Monty Python And The Holy Grail -
King - Please! Please good people! I am in haste. Who lives in that castle?
Peasant 1 - No one lives there.
K - Then who is your lord?
P1 - We don't have a lord.
K - What?
Peasant 2 - I told you, we're an anarco-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week. But all the decisions of that officer must be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting; by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs-
K - Be quiet!
P2 - but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more serious-
K - Be quiet! I order you to be quiet!
P1 - Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Ha!
K - I am your king!
P1 - Well I didn't vote for you.
Can you say 'Gang Wars'?....
LMAO that too funny who is woman in that relationship who is the man ROFL
Hehehe!
Whatever happens, another dictator will emerge. You can count on it.
If you mean a dictator as opposed to a military junta, I'm not so sure. The military must be extremely powerful in that country. Actually I'm surprised a junta has not taken over before this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.