ID :
47673
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 09:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/47673
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean father-to-son succession possible: S. Korean intelligence chief
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's intelligence chief said Wednesday that another father-to-son power transfer in North Korea appears "possible," and that the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, is in fully in charge but has "not fully recovered" from his suspected stroke.
Rumors of the succession mounted after Kim reportedly fell ill last August. Kim,
67, who took over after his father and North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung died in
1994, has yet to publicly announce who will be his heir.
"A three-generation succession appears to be possible," Won Sei-hoon, chief of
the National Intelligence Service, was quoted as saying in a closed-door
parliamentary briefing.
Won's remarks, disclosed by Rep. Lee Choul-woo of the ruling Grand National Party
and Rep. Park Young-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party, were the first
reference by a senior Seoul official to the future of the communist regime. A
spokesman from the intelligence agency confirmed that the remarks "are true."
Concerning Kim's health, the intelligence chief said, "He has not fully
recovered, but he appears to have no big trouble doing business."
His comment was less optimistic than what Seoul officials have so far said.
Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said earlier in the day that Kim
"appears to be healthy," making two more inspection tours this year than he did
in previous years. Since the weekend, Kim has been touring the country's
northernmost Hamgyong Province, coinciding with rocket launch preparations in the
region.
Concerning Yonhap's report last week that the third and youngest son, Kim
Jong-un, has registered as a candidate for the March 8 parliamentary elections in
nascent succession process, the intelligence chief said the report "doesn't seem
to be credible, considering the process and the time needed for registration."
When one of Kim's three sons takes over, the new leader will have weaker control
than his father, Won added.
Informed sources told Yonhap last month that Kim, apparently driven by his health
condition, had named 26-year-old Jong-un as his heir. Jong-un was born to Kim's
third wife, Ko Yong-hi, who died of breast cancer at the age of 51 in 2004.
Rumors of the succession mounted after Kim reportedly fell ill last August. Kim,
67, who took over after his father and North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung died in
1994, has yet to publicly announce who will be his heir.
"A three-generation succession appears to be possible," Won Sei-hoon, chief of
the National Intelligence Service, was quoted as saying in a closed-door
parliamentary briefing.
Won's remarks, disclosed by Rep. Lee Choul-woo of the ruling Grand National Party
and Rep. Park Young-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party, were the first
reference by a senior Seoul official to the future of the communist regime. A
spokesman from the intelligence agency confirmed that the remarks "are true."
Concerning Kim's health, the intelligence chief said, "He has not fully
recovered, but he appears to have no big trouble doing business."
His comment was less optimistic than what Seoul officials have so far said.
Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said earlier in the day that Kim
"appears to be healthy," making two more inspection tours this year than he did
in previous years. Since the weekend, Kim has been touring the country's
northernmost Hamgyong Province, coinciding with rocket launch preparations in the
region.
Concerning Yonhap's report last week that the third and youngest son, Kim
Jong-un, has registered as a candidate for the March 8 parliamentary elections in
nascent succession process, the intelligence chief said the report "doesn't seem
to be credible, considering the process and the time needed for registration."
When one of Kim's three sons takes over, the new leader will have weaker control
than his father, Won added.
Informed sources told Yonhap last month that Kim, apparently driven by his health
condition, had named 26-year-old Jong-un as his heir. Jong-un was born to Kim's
third wife, Ko Yong-hi, who died of breast cancer at the age of 51 in 2004.
