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Journalism of Courage
At least,theres no need to wonder any more about Kim Jong-uns title. From Brilliant Comrade,hes now the Great Successor,the worlds only communist dynasty in North Korea having already exhausted Great Leader and Dear Leader. It took the regime close to two full days to declare,through a tearful television announcer,that Kim Jong-il had passed away at 69,and that the nation,military and people had to faithfully revere his youngest son. Dictatorships never quite find a succession easy. While this worries Pyongyangs ruling elite,the world too is anxious.
Thats not ironic. Kim Jong-un is reportedly in his late twenties,with almost no leadership experience. Instability in Pyongyang could have repercussions for the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Therefore,North Koreas nemesis,the United States,as well as its last remaining friend,China,would like to see the military and the Workers Party fall in line for the moment. The US,South Korea and Japan would hope that the new leadership would resume talks suspended since 2009 after consolidating itself. Although Kim Jr was practically anointed successor in September last year,he didnt have the grooming time his father had had a full 14 years till Kim Il-sungs death in 1994. Kim Jr will be guided by his uncle,Chang Song-taek,hoping the latter wont become too ambitious himself.
