ID :
45695
Sun, 02/15/2009 - 21:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/45695
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Kim's brother-in-law said to mastermind N. Korea's leadership succession
SEOUL, Feb. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's alleged decision to name his third son as his successor has been made at the recommendation of his brother-in-law, who is known to have overseen state affairs while Kim fell ill, sources said Sunday.
Jang Song-thaek, husband of Kim's younger sister and believed to be second in
power, recommended Kim's youngest, Jong-un, take over as the North's new leader,
considering the incumbent leader's special affection for the 25-year-old son,
multiple sources said on condition of anonymity.
Jang, a department director of the North's Workers' Party, is known for his close
relationship with Kim's first son, Jong-nam, but is believed to have made such a
recommendation in consideration of his future political fate, said the sources.
They forecast that Jang will likely play a regent's role if Jong-un actually
gains the helm of the country.
Kim Jong-il, apparently driven by his health condition after a suspected stroke
in August, withdrew his earlier position not to publicly talk about succession
and named his heir on Jan. 8, sources told Yonhap last month. The date, on which
Kim reportedly sent his nomination directive to the Workers' Party, was Jong-un's
birthday.
"Considering Jong-un's age and lack of experience, Jang will technically act as a
regent for the next 10 years at least, overseeing Jong-un's succession process
until he solidly takes root," one of the sources said.
Jong-un, born to Kim's third wife, Ko Yong-hi, in Pyongyang in 1984 and educated
in Switzerland, is said to be the leader's spitting image and his favorite son.
Kenji Fujimoto, a former Japanese sushi chief for Kim, recently said in an
interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS that Jong-un is "young, but full of
insight and the power of action befitting a future leader."
His uncle, Jang, was long known to be guardian for his half brother and Kim's
eldest son, Jong-nam, but he opted for a more feasible choice, the sources said.
He was reportedly demoted by the leader in 2004 for trying to build his faction
but restored to power last year.
"Jang might have considered that his 'Jong-un card' will be liked by Chairman
Kim," a source said.
The eldest son, Jong-nam, told foreign reporters last month that he has "no
interest" in power and that his "father alone can decide" his successor, the
first such remarks from a family insider.
External speculation of an imminent transfer of power mounted ahead of Kim's 67th
birthday on Monday. North Korea also holds an important election to name new
lawmakers on March 8, which Seoul analysts say will be used to lay the groundwork
for the post-Kim era.
In a related sign, the leader recently promoted his close confidants to military
chiefs on Wednesday. The extensive shakeup was seen by many as a sign that Kim is
assembling his aides to avert a possible backlash against his choice of a
successor.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Jang Song-thaek, husband of Kim's younger sister and believed to be second in
power, recommended Kim's youngest, Jong-un, take over as the North's new leader,
considering the incumbent leader's special affection for the 25-year-old son,
multiple sources said on condition of anonymity.
Jang, a department director of the North's Workers' Party, is known for his close
relationship with Kim's first son, Jong-nam, but is believed to have made such a
recommendation in consideration of his future political fate, said the sources.
They forecast that Jang will likely play a regent's role if Jong-un actually
gains the helm of the country.
Kim Jong-il, apparently driven by his health condition after a suspected stroke
in August, withdrew his earlier position not to publicly talk about succession
and named his heir on Jan. 8, sources told Yonhap last month. The date, on which
Kim reportedly sent his nomination directive to the Workers' Party, was Jong-un's
birthday.
"Considering Jong-un's age and lack of experience, Jang will technically act as a
regent for the next 10 years at least, overseeing Jong-un's succession process
until he solidly takes root," one of the sources said.
Jong-un, born to Kim's third wife, Ko Yong-hi, in Pyongyang in 1984 and educated
in Switzerland, is said to be the leader's spitting image and his favorite son.
Kenji Fujimoto, a former Japanese sushi chief for Kim, recently said in an
interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS that Jong-un is "young, but full of
insight and the power of action befitting a future leader."
His uncle, Jang, was long known to be guardian for his half brother and Kim's
eldest son, Jong-nam, but he opted for a more feasible choice, the sources said.
He was reportedly demoted by the leader in 2004 for trying to build his faction
but restored to power last year.
"Jang might have considered that his 'Jong-un card' will be liked by Chairman
Kim," a source said.
The eldest son, Jong-nam, told foreign reporters last month that he has "no
interest" in power and that his "father alone can decide" his successor, the
first such remarks from a family insider.
External speculation of an imminent transfer of power mounted ahead of Kim's 67th
birthday on Monday. North Korea also holds an important election to name new
lawmakers on March 8, which Seoul analysts say will be used to lay the groundwork
for the post-Kim era.
In a related sign, the leader recently promoted his close confidants to military
chiefs on Wednesday. The extensive shakeup was seen by many as a sign that Kim is
assembling his aides to avert a possible backlash against his choice of a
successor.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
