korean unification studies

Before I go into all of my Japanese tabloid theories on the successor to Kim Jong-Il, I’ll let you guys read it yourself. From Reuters:

TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has named his second eldest son to a major post, making him the top candidate to eventually take over as head of the reclusive state, a Japanese newspaper reported on Saturday.

Kim appointed Kim Jong-chol as deputy chief of a leadership division in the ruling Workers’ Party, the Mainichi Shimbun said, quoting sources close to the North Korean government.

The appointment made him the most likely to succeed his father, the Mainichi said, given that Kim Jong-il once held the same post and his two other sons had no key responsibilities. Jong-chol is believed to be 26.

Kim’s succession is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the world’s only communist dynasty and is a constant subject of speculation for the outside world.

The Mainichi quoted one source as saying Jong-chol was likely to be officially named successor when he reaches 32, the same age as Kim Jong-il was when he publicly emerged as heir to his late father, state founder Kim Il-sung.

Now, I love Japanese tabloids and know that they do actually have some decent sources - at least better than US papers. They are almost obsessed by leadership succession in North Korea and often have quite juicy reports on Kim Jong-Il’s children (or other Korean-looking, arrogant, overweight individuals) partying in Germany, Switzerland and Macau.

Most Japanese tabloid sources favor Kim Jong-Chol as the successor. He’s 26 years old, loves Eric Clapton (watch out for kidnappers Eric), and has lived most of his life in Geneva. Personally, I think this could be problematic. But watch out for some more juicy reports coming out in the near future - after all, this is North Korean prediction season.