Merged Kim Jong Il is dead / You must cry

[shuize]

I wish Christopher Hitchens could have lived just a few more days. Based on some of the things he had to say about the "Dear Leader," I think he would have enjoyed outliving him.

 

[commandlinegamer]

This could be very worrying as I presume there is a now a power-vacuum. I know the rumours of his ill health have been circulating for some time so I'm sure there have been those that have been "leading in his name" for some time but they often aren't the ones that come out top after their figurehead dies.

Not necessarily.

The Today programme on Radio 4 was just discussing this. NK is governed by a military committee, not just by the Jong family, and Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law (IIRC) is currently the most important member on it. The new Kim won't suddenly be able to change course.

 

[wobs]

Ding dong, etc.

This can go either way for North Korea. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the new Kim will be a good man and want to change things for the better for his nation.

What's the chances that three generations in a row will give the country a total narcissistic sociopath as demi-god?

Onion time...
"Kim Jong-Un Privately Doubting He's Crazy Enough To Run North Korea"
http://www.theonion.com/articles/kim-jongun-privately-doubting-hes-crazy-enough-to,18374/

 

[Lamuella]

so it goes.

 

[Brainster]

He's ronery no more.

 

[Eddie Dane]

Even if the new Kim wants to change the country, I doubt that he can.
There is a whole clique running the place, and i doubt they want any change that could threaten their position.

I'm reminded of that one Roman emperor who wanted to make some much needed changes and was killed by the praetorian guard on his first day at work.

And who will do all the quality control in NK?
I predict that the quality of turnips will take a nosedive in the coming year.

 

[Humes fork]

Ding dong, etc.

This can go either way for North Korea. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the new Kim will be a good man and want to change things for the better for his nation.

What's the chances that three generations in a row will give the country a total narcissistic sociopath as demi-god?

From what I've read, due to the new guy's inexperience and short preparation for the job (Kim Jong-il was groomed for 30 years), the real power might not reside with him, and he might become more of a figurehead than a ruler with an iron-grip over the country.

Whatever happens, the best one can hope for is that the new ruler(s) open up the country.

 

[TubbaBlubba]

 

[GlennB]

Tom Logan, from Hatfield, said: "If I had to choose my ideal festive occlusion of the coronary artery, it would be this one.

"The only thing that could have made it any better is if the pain and suffering it caused went on for absolutely *********** ages."

linky (note - naughty language)

 

[Undesired Walrus]

He's ronery no more.

What a terrible way to end his korea.

 

[El Greco]

People are celebrating because a very evil man died

People elsewhere probably, but what about people in North Korea ? From a couple of documentaries I've watched I tend to believe that they have suffered so much brainwashing that by now most of them are probably crying as if they've lost a family member.

 

[Humes fork]

 

[commandlinegamer]

What if it's all been a mistranslation and it's just that Kim Jong dead ill ?

 

[NWO Sentryman]

My reaction to the news

 

[timhau]

I wonder what posthumous position Kim Jong Il will get. Eternal Vice President?

 

[MRC_Hans]

Well, hard to be really sorry.

Since it can hardly go worse for NK, let us entertain the feeble hope that it will go better. Although I doubt the Kims have been the real leaders for quite some time. When a head of state closely resembles a puppet, look for the puppeteers.

Hans

 

[Humes fork]

Well, hard to be really sorry.

Since it can hardly go worse for NK, let us entertain the feeble hope that it will go better. Although I doubt the Kims have been the real leaders for quite some time. When a head of state closely resembles a puppet, look for the puppeteers.

Hans

It's also a possibility thaty it will get neither better or worse. IOW, status quo.

 

[MRC_Hans]

It's also a possibility thaty it will get neither better or worse. IOW, status quo.

Quite. Most likely, in fact, except that it must be clear to whoever leads NK that the present situation cannot go on. The 'dear leader' could not initiate an opening because his image is too tainted in the surrounding world, but those anonymously pulling strings might was to start a movement towards a less isolated position. After all, how much fun is it, in the long run, to live in a poverty-stricken, completely isolated country, even if you are the top elite?

Hans

 

[Brown]

I wish Christopher Hitchens could have lived just a few more days. Based on some of the things he had to say about the "Dear Leader," I think he would have enjoyed outliving him.

One thing Hitchens used to say was that North Korea's leader was presented to the people as a religious figure, and that many of the people bought into it. The next few days may show us whether Hitchens pegged it accurately.

 

[Darat]

One thing Hitchens used to say was that North Korea's leader was presented to the people as a religious figure, and that many of the people bought into it. The next few days may show us whether Hitchens pegged it accurately.

I thought that was quite common knowledge - I mean the official story of his birth is a double rainbow and I think a shooting star heralding his arrival in the world.