Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo on Monday used bitter words to explain the developments in North Korea after the death of its “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il, and the world’s subsequent response.
He said the communist country is putting an untested, 20-something son of a late strongman in power to complete a third-generation dynastic succession, yet the world is acting as if it is a righteous regime change.
“North Korea is handing over all power and authority to a 20-something, inexperienced lad and the world is kowtowing to him,” the governor said in an interview with local media. “It is the comedy of the 21st century.”
Indications coming out of Pyongyang suggest that Kim Jong-un, the anointed heir, is smoothly taking over the country which has a 1.2 million-strong military and has carried out two nuclear weapons tests, following the sudden passing of his father earlier this month.
North Korea’s propaganda media is calling the junior Kim “supreme leader” or “great successor,” in an apparent bid to consolidate power around the new leader.
Little is known about Jong-un, except a few things including he is Swiss-educated and in his late 20s.
The United States and Japan called for a smooth and peaceful transition of leadership in North Korea. China took a series of steps, which analysts say showed its support of Jong-un as the next leader.
The governor said the North will be able to hold for some time under the new leader, but how stable it will be depends on ordinary North Koreans.
The South Korean politician has been governor of Gyeonggi Province since 2006. He is considered a potential presidential candidate for the ruling Grand National Party.
By Lee Sun-young (
milaya@heraldcorp.com)
