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| Kim Jong-il (Left), Kim Jong-un (Right) |
As we can see in Chinese epic movies, there are several dynasties ruling China. That is, the Han Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Ching Dynasty and so on. There is obviously no difference in North Korea, although it practices Communism – from-father-to-son succession policy is used to handle the absolute power from one generation to another. Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, handed the power to his son, Kim Jong-il and in the near future Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, will lead this lonely country. The main controversial question about this succession is “Is Kim Jon-un the right person for this top job? What the future lies for North Korea?”
According to the media, little is known about Kim Jong-un, besides he is 27 years old and was educated in Switzerland. Based on the facts, we can conclude that he is an inexperience leader, but now he is destined to hold the power to rule the country, will he be able to cope with the immense pressure in the nation such as poverty, food insecurity and pressure from foreign superpower? That is, America repeatedly asserts influence on North Korea to give up its nuclear program. There are tough decisions waiting for him to make when he steps in the office and these decisions are the matters of life and death. This lonely country cannot afford any wrong decision; otherwise, the country will totally fall into the jaw of destruction. Will he decide to give up its nuclear program or still stubbornly follow the same footstep of his father? If he chooses to eliminate the country’s nuclear program, the tension between North Korea and South Korea America will be eased. North Korea will definitely receive massive amount of human aid and financial support. This move would drastically save most North Koreans from poverty and starvation. The future of North Korean lies in this 27-year-old man’s hands.
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| The DRPK Army |
Looking at the fact Kim Jong-il points his finger to his son to succeed him, significant changes in the country would hardly take place under Kim Jong-un’s new leadership. Kim Jong-il may have already set the path for his youngest son to follow. Therefore, it would still be the same old policies. Will there be any economic reform – from planning market to free market? The answer is: not likely.
As he is young, inexperience and he has not accomplished any major achievement, it is absolutely difficult to gain respect, trust and confidence from the seniors of this communist government. The future unprecedented situation will be fragile and sensitive. Any conflicts among the top leaders with Kim Jong-un will definitely shake this country. On top of that, any significant decision made by this young man does not mean that every senior member would agree. For instance, if Kim Jong-un finally chooses to neglect the planning market to adopt a free market as the western style, not many top generals would be convinced. Such conflicts could trigger off civil war in the country, which will be devastating for the people. In some ways, Kim Jong-un may have the same fate as Mikhail Gorbachev of the former Soviet Union and may be recorded in history as the last leader of North Korea.
The future of North Korea is in a dark prospect more than ever. Kim Jong-un must be vigilant of his decision and do the right thing. He must make the best use of his recent promotion as the 4 stars general to prove himself to the public and the top senior members of the party that he possesses all the qualities to rule the country; otherwise, it would not be a happy ending for Kim Jong-un’s story of being a premier.
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