Kim Jong Il - dead

[ELB]

So far everyone is seems to be assuming Kim Jong Il died on his own natural causes (his diabetes and heart disease), and that now a power struggle might erupt to see who succeeds him.

Alternate possibility: Old Kim was in poor health, weak; power struggle occurred and new leader is decided; Kim Jong Il's death of natural causes -- with a little nudge -- is the last step. This is a not-unknown succession strategy in these kinds of regimes...

Further wild but plausible speculation: New leader may or may not be the son; he may be a figurehead for public consumption after he cut a deal to not immediately occupy the grave next to his father.

[Oldgringo]

Good Riddance!

[Lambda Force]

It sounds like it's time for me to watch Team America again.

[fulano]

It sounds like it's time for me to watch Team America again.

[SlickTX]

I read an article by the UK's past ambassador to North Korea where he says the son is even nuttier than the father. Based on that kinda-insider view, I'm not holding my breath for any changes over there.

Another article listed all the troops, tanks, APC's, artillery tubes, etc. that the North has which outnumber the South's by 3 or 4 to 1, then stated that the hardware was about 1965 vintage. Other than the human wave potential, the North really doesn't stack up.

[thebigapp]

Son could be even more dangerous! Sure do hope current administration is carefully watching this situation.

[bayouhazard]

So far everyone is seems to be assuming Kim Jong Il died on his own natural causes (his diabetes and heart disease), and that now a power struggle might erupt to see who succeeds him.

Alternate possibility: Old Kim was in poor health, weak; power struggle occurred and new leader is decided; Kim Jong Il's death of natural causes -- with a little nudge -- is the last step. This is a not-unknown succession strategy in these kinds of regimes...

Further wild but plausible speculation: New leader may or may not be the son; he may be a figurehead for public consumption after he cut a deal to not immediately occupy the grave next to his father.

It could be some faction want the son on the throne as a puppet. The risk is the puppet deciding he wants to be a real boy.

[wheelgun1958]