Uncertainties surrounding N. Korean regime deepening: S. Korea

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- Uncertainties in North Korea continue to grow, South
Korea's defense minister said Tuesday, citing the communist rival's ongoing
nuclear and missile programs and persisting rumors over the health of its leader
Kim Jong-il.

"The uncertain nature of the North Korean regime is deepening," Defense Minister
Kim Tae-young said in a speech, a day after the North test-fired a fresh barrage
of its most advanced short-range missiles off the east coast.
Speaking at an academic forum in Seoul, Kim said North Korea is "intensifying its
threats based on its nuclear, missile and special force capabilities" on top of
its 1.2-million troops. He did not elaborate.
North Korea, which has conducted two known nuclear tests and continues to
test-launch missiles, is believed to operate 180,000 special forces designed to
hit rear defenses in the event of war.
Kim said the uncertainties are compounded by rumors that the all-powerful North
Korean leader has yet to completely recover from a stroke he reportedly suffered
in summer last year.
In recent photos released by the North, Kim Jong-il is seen walking and talking
to visiting envoys without great difficulty, even though some say his movement
appears slightly compromised.
South Korean and U.S. officials say Kim has recovered enough to assume his power
over the regime, which is seeking bilateral dialogue with the United States after
months of bellicose behavior.
Speculation runs rampant over who will succeed the 67-year-old North Korean, with
his third son, Jong-eun, considered most likely to have been tapped.
Kim Tae-young, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, rose to the post of
defense minister last month as part of a government reshuffle by President Lee
Myung-bak.
The relations between the two countries froze rapidly after Lee took office early
last year with a pledge to press harder for the North to denuclearize under a
multilateral agreement.
Faced with tougher sanctions for its May 25 nuclear test, North Korea has
recently opened the door for dialogue with the outside world, agreeing Tuesday to
fresh cross-border talks with the South.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)