I still remember when his father Kim Il Sung died during the Clinton years, and there was speculation that kim Jong Il wlould be less ruthless than his father. But he turned out to be a guy who perpetuated the Stalinist structure of his father. It would be a wonderful thing if his new heir abandoned nukes in exchange for economic assistance and a new open-ness with the West. But don't hold your breath.
One of the amazing things of Kim Jong Il was that he banned his citizens from using the internet and other western luxuries, but was reported to enjoy the western things he banned, and spent virtually all his free time on the internet. He could have been one of the alts here on RKMB!
I predict after a suitable period of mourning, and transfer of the password to his successor, "rex" will "be settled into his new home and back online."
Question...in order to die of heart failure, don't you actually have to have a heart in the first place?
All kidding aside, the next few days are going to be critical ones; we know absolutely zilch about who's going to succeed Kim(reports about his son notwithstanding) and there's a 50-50 chance the new guy could turn out to be even more deranged than Kim was. Marxist dictatorships have a disturbing tendency to not only breed power-mad lunatics but to be very coy about who replaces those lunatics as head of state.
Not that I want to be punched in the face or anything, but I think you should direct that question to Dick Cheney. I hear he has experience with being a heartless zombie.
If I remember correctly, it seems like there were some issues between his son and the military when Jong started pushing him to take his place as heir. My concern is that they will attempt a conciliation through some form of military adventurism. Otherwise, I just think his son is going to take over and be just as bad--if not worse--than his dad was.
I predict after a suitable period of mourning, and transfer of the password to his successor, "rex" will "be settled into his new home and back online."
Earlier today: "North Korea's anointed heir Kim Jong Un led a solemn procession of mourners Tuesday to the glass coffin of his father and longtime ruler — a strong indication that a smooth leadership transition was under way in the country known for secrecy and unpredictability."
