By I have been speculating for quite some time that Kim Jong-nam is the choice of the Chinese leadership and the Chosun Ilbo is speculating that his recent interview condemning the succession only proves this:
Speculation is rife that the Chinese government had a hand in arranging an interview North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s eldest son Jong-nam gave Japanese TV last Saturday where the 38-year old said he is against the hereditary succession in the North.
A diplomatic source on Wednesday said this is suggested by a careful review of the footage and Kim Jong-nam’s remarks. Kim Jong-nam lives in virtual exile in Beijing and Macau.
Although it identified the location as Beijing, TV Asahi blurred the background so as to make identification difficult for safety reasons.
The interview gives the impression of being prearranged, even though TV Asahi tried to make it look as if it happened spontaneously when the crew bumped into Kim Jong-nam in a street.
A Japanese journalist asks in Korean, “Kim Jong-nam, I presume,” and Kim calmly answers, “Yes.” At one stage during the interview, Kim says quietly, “This is off the record.”
Kim without a moment’s hesitation used the terms “third-generation hereditary succession” and “North Korea,” both the taboo expressions in the North. North Korean officials usually refer to their country as “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” “the Republic” or “Chosun.”
“It would have been difficult for Kim Jong-nam to use such taboo words in a foreign country unless China promised to guarantee his safety,” the diplomatic source speculated.
What Kim said in the interview essentially tallies with China’s position. While Beijing sent a high-profile delegation to Pyongyang for the 65th anniversary of the North Korean Workers Party, internally it is unhappy with the hereditary succession. [Chosun Ilbo]
Who knows if this is true or not, but the recent statements by Kim Jong-nam against the succession sure are odd and I can’t picture him being welcomed back into North Korea any time soon.
3:26 pm on October 18th, 2010 1
I think his earlier attempt a few years ago to go to Japan to visit the Japanese Disneyland was a forgivable faux pas but to question KJI's decision to make Kim Jong-un the next ruler was a big f'up for him. The Red Chinese may try to install him as leader if NK collapses but I don't think many in NK would accept it anymore than the Tibetans accepted the child that the Red Chinese tried to say was the reincarnated Dali Lama. I think that Kim Jong-un is going to try to bump off Kim Jong-nam (I have read that he tried to have his older brother killed before). If Kim Jong-nam is ever stupid enough to return to NK he will never be heard from again. Wouldn't it be a hoot if KJN ever defected to the US, SK, or Japan. It would drive the NK nucking futs.
8:40 am on October 20th, 2010 2
If Kim Jong-nam is against heriditary succession, he can't succeed!
Is the term "North Korea" really taboo? It's geographically correct.
11:03 am on October 23rd, 2010 3
From someone directly connected to North Korea, Yes, it is extremely taboo to refer to it as that.
8:10 am on September 6th, 2011 4
There are certainly a number of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice point to carry up. I provide the thoughts above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up the place the most important thing can be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around issues like that, however I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both girls and boys really feel the affect of just a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.