Kim Jong-Il dies - what now for North Korea?

**Rollo** · 19th Dec 11, 03:36

The ABC:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il dead - World (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died, a tearful state television announcer dressed in black reported.
The announcer said that the 69-year-old had died of physical and mental over-work while on a train trip, on his way to give "field guidance".

The BBC:
BBC News - N Korean leader Kim Jong-il dies
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died at the age of 69, state-run television has announced.
Mr Kim, who has led the communist nation since the death of his father in 1994, died on a train while visiting an area outside the capital, the announcement said.

The Age:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead
Kim Jong Il, the second-generation North Korean dictator who defied global condemnation to build nuclear weapons while his people starved, has died, Yonhap News reported.
He is believed to have been 70 years old, although North Korean official records said he was 69 years old.

The news came in a radio broadcast at noon local time, Yonhap reported, citing North Korea's official media. The veteran leader died on December 17 at 8.30am, a weeping announcer said, Agence France-Presse reported.

Three separate sources all reputable and all reporting the same thing. I think it's safe to assume that this is the genuine article.

I can only hope that this is the beginning of North Korea's acceptance back into the free-world and the reunification process; maybe even bringing back the Emperor. Hopefully Seoul and Pyongyang will start talks more or less immediately to finally get rid of the stupid line that separates the two Koreas.

**anthonyvop** · 19th Dec 11, 03:43

Originally Posted by Rollo

I can only hope that this is the beginning of North Korea's acceptance back into the free-world and the reunification process; maybe even bringing back the Emperor. Hopefully Seoul and Pyongyang will start talks more or less immediately to finally get rid of the stupid line that separates the two Koreas.

You can hope but I wouldn't hold my breath. In 2010, The Dear Leader announced that his third son, the twenty-something Kim Jong Un, would be his successor, putting him in high-ranking and prominent posts. Every thing I have read about him is that he is as cruel and narcissistic as his father.

**Mark** · 19th Dec 11, 08:57

Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.

**Bolton Midnight** · 19th Dec 11, 12:03

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**Malbec** · 19th Dec 11, 13:26

Originally Posted by anthonyvop

You can hope but I wouldn't hold my breath. In 2010, The Dear Leader announced that his third son, the twenty-something Kim Jong Un, would be his successor, putting him in high-ranking and prominent posts. Every thing I have read about him is that he is as cruel and narcissistic as his father.

I suspect things might get worse especially over the short term. Kim Jong Il was supposed to be smart and quite well informed while we don't know whether his son has the same skills. Also his son will surely want to throw his weight around to make sure there are no power challenges, and he'll most probably do that by doing the usual, provoking trouble with South Korea and everyone else.

**BleAivano** · 19th Dec 11, 13:26

Originally Posted by Mark

Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.

well i wouldn't be too sure. I think that the N.K. generals/millitary would like a say in the matter.

**Rudy Tamasz** · 19th Dec 11, 14:57

Methinks the new regime will give in to international pressure and will announce a transitional period with free elections. The new gov't headed by the former opposition leader (name? in exile or jail?) will start reunification talks with the South. In the meantime the international community will launch a huge relief effort for the millions of starving North Koreans. After the reunification the economy of the North will use its comparative advantage of cheap labor and boom on massive investments from the South and abroad. Former military factories will switch to producing high tech stuff. In ten years we will barely see the difference between the two parts of unified Korea and the Rolling Stones will perform for the first time in Pyongyang.

**Eki** · 19th Dec 11, 17:25

Originally Posted by Rudy Tamasz

Methinks the new regime will give in to international pressure and will announce a transitional period with free elections. The new gov't headed by the former opposition leader (name? in exile or jail?) will start reunification talks with the South. In the meantime the international community will launch a huge relief effort for the millions of starving North Koreans. After the reunification the economy of the North will use its comparative advantage of cheap labor and boom on massive investments from the South and abroad. Former military factories will switch to producing high tech stuff. In ten years we will barely see the difference between the two parts of unified Korea and the Rolling Stones will perform for the first time in Pyongyang.

OK, Nostradamus. When will the first North Korean join the Motorsportforums?

**schmenke** · 19th Dec 11, 20:17

I remember thinking something wasn't quite right when the first Chinese joined our forum, introducing himself as Sum Ting Wong.

**anthonyvop** · 19th Dec 11, 20:20

Originally Posted by Rudy Tamasz

Methinks the new regime will give in to international pressure and will announce a transitional period with free elections. The new gov't headed by the former opposition leader (name? in exile or jail?) will start reunification talks with the South. In the meantime the international community will launch a huge relief effort for the millions of starving North Koreans. After the reunification the economy of the North will use its comparative advantage of cheap labor and boom on massive investments from the South and abroad. Former military factories will switch to producing high tech stuff. In ten years we will barely see the difference between the two parts of unified Korea and the Rolling Stones will perform for the first time in Pyongyang.

There hasn't been a North Korean Opposition Leader since the late 1940's. North Korean Society is as closed as a society can get and not even a hint of opposition has been tolerated.

This isn't Czechoslovakia(R.I.P. V Havel) or Poland with access to western ideas, media and people. Even talking to a foreigner in North Korea gets you tossed in Jail to become one of the Disappeared.

There is no way the Military will transition to free elections anytime soon. It would be signing their own arrest warrants and they didn't get to where they are by being stupid.

South Korea will be of no help as the last thing they want is a massive uprising in NK and the millions of refugees it would create....Ditto China.

**Rudy Tamasz** · 19th Dec 11, 20:41

I see something incredible here, Tony and Eki togeher sharing the same gloomy view of the future of North Koreans. Wake up, guys! Like there was no Summer of Love and no fall of Berlin Wall.

**Eki** · 19th Dec 11, 21:12

Originally Posted by Rudy Tamasz

I see something incredible here, Tony and Eki togeher sharing the same gloomy view of the future of North Koreans. Wake up, guys! Like there was no Summer of Love and no fall of Berlin Wall.

I was just asking. No need to be rude.

**Brown, Jon Brow** · 19th Dec 11, 21:12

North Korea does seem to be Nineteen Eighty-Four.

**Malbec** · 20th Dec 11, 00:02

Originally Posted by Rudy Tamasz

Methinks the new regime will give in to international pressure and will announce a transitional period with free elections. The new gov't headed by the former opposition leader (name? in exile or jail?) will start reunification talks with the South. In the meantime the international community will launch a huge relief effort for the millions of starving North Koreans. After the reunification the economy of the North will use its comparative advantage of cheap labor and boom on massive investments from the South and abroad. Former military factories will switch to producing high tech stuff. In ten years we will barely see the difference between the two parts of unified Korea and the Rolling Stones will perform for the first time in Pyongyang.

I thought you had your tongue firmly in your cheek but it seems not... Who is the opposition leader and why do you think he/she has a hope of even getting into the country alive?

If the Koreas reunite the costs will be in excess of the German reunification and a lot of that will be due to the fortress mentality of the northerners who are unbelievably hostile to just about every country other than perhaps China.

**Bolton Midnight** · 20th Dec 11, 01:40

WW3 long overdue and I always thought it would be the Yanks

**Rudy Tamasz** · 20th Dec 11, 06:32

Originally Posted by Eki

I was just asking. No need to be rude.

Here's the answer. When Red Burr gives them wings...

**Rudy Tamasz** · 20th Dec 11, 06:40

Originally Posted by Malbec

I thought you had your tongue firmly in your cheek...

The wrong cheek, perhaps. Having gone through an incomplete and painful transition with my country, and having seen what a mess some complete transitions did to post-Communist countries, and knowing for sure it would have been even worse without reforms, I have my feelings split between bitter and sarcastic.

I mean, come on, Stones the messengers of love and peace...

**Mark in Oshawa** · 20th Dec 11, 09:04

I suspect unless the kid has some soft spot he hasn't shown yet, more of the same...with maybe a desire to test the South again. It could get ugly, but one common thread to communist leaders is when they face total destruction or a war that could depose them, they back right off. He may be smart enough to know if he opens Pandora's Box, the Chinese or rest of the world backing the Americans will crush his little petty dictatorship. Lets face it, they like to survive first......and as for those poor souls who live there...well more of the same.

**Eki** · 20th Dec 11, 09:05

I predict the first North Korean Formula 1 driver will be Kim Il Räikkönen.

**Dave B** · 20th Dec 11, 11:37

Originally Posted by Eki

I predict the first North Korean Formula 1 driver will be Kim Il Räikkönen.

All I know is that State TV will report that he has won every race, and found time to rescue some kittens during the pit stops. All hail our glorious new world champion.