Today marks the 69th anniversary of
the founding of North Korea’s ruling party, an event that would
normally mean squat to Americans or most other folks outside The
Hermit Kingdom. However, it’s a date of national significance and
Dear Leader Kim Jong-un did not show up.
It’s the first time he’s missed the celebration.
Furthermore, Kim has not been in the public eye for 37 days.
That’s the longest he’s ever been out of the spotlight, and it’s
generating a lot of questions and speculation about the state of
Kim’s health and the state of North Korea’s politics.
Officially, North Korean media acknowledges that Kim is
experiencing some unspecified “discomfort.” He was last seen
limping and looking overweight in early September. Yesterday, “a
source with access to the secretive North’s leadership”
assured Reuters that “Kim Jong-un is in total control” and
that he simply pulled a tendon while conducting military
exercises.
The Associated Press
suggests that if Kim were suffering from something more
serious, the national media would make no mention of health issues
whatsoever. And, “South Korean officials are playing down the
speculation” that power is slipping out of Kim’s hands.
Likewise, The Washington Times yesterday
quoted a U.S. intelligence official who says,
“The fact that Kim Jong-un is out of sight is not
necessarily an indication that he’s not in control of the country.
Despite the rumors, there are many indications that the country is
functioning as it normally does.”
Still, people have reason to wonder. Earlier in the week he was
nowhere to be seen at an event honoring his father, and last month
he was missing from an important parliamentary meeting.
One
rumor is that the leader’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, is acting as
chief behind the scenes.
Late last week Vice
quoted Jang Jin-sung, “formerly a key member of Kim Jong-il’s
propaganda machine” who was at a conference of exiled elites, said
that Kim is no longer in control, and the powerful Organization and
Guidance Department has essentially taken power. Then, over
the weekend, two senior officials made an abrupt and surprisingly
friendly visit to South Korea.
Gordon Chang of The Daily Beast
suggests that General Hwang Pyong So, one of those two senior
officials, is worth watching, because whoever makes “significant
announcements” and becomes “prominent in the public eye” will
likely be the real leader.
In related news, in spite of the kind gesture over weekend,
North and South Korea are
exchanging fire across the border.
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