Kim Jong Un the current leader of North Korea, has not been seen in the public eye since September 3rd. This has lead many to speculate that he has been overthrown from power, but the official report is that he has been ill. These rumors became even more dominant when North Korea reached out to South Korea, its long time enemy.
From my reading in This is Paradise, which tells about the daily life of people living in North Korea, I was given the impression that the leaders of North Korea were revered and that no one would dare overthrow them. However, it is speculated that the Kim Jong Un does not demand the same respect as his father.
Do you think that Kim Jong Un has been overthrown from power? And, how do you think a shift in power would change North Korea's standing with the rest of the world?
-- Edited by Kayli Perry on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 05:44:11 PM
There is a possibility that he has been overthrown but we obviously do not know for certain that he has. I think the shift if power will defiantly make North Korea more approachable to the rest of the world.
I think he's still in power but lacks the influence that his father did, so it is possible that he'll be overthrown or at least ignored as a real leader. If a shift in power does occur, I think that it would make North Korea either more approachable or hostile, depending on who the new ruler would be. But since North Korea had reached out to South Korea, it's more likely that North Korea would be more accessible to the world.
I don't think he has been completely overthrown if the speculations are true. He is either hiding or in serious danger. Does this make North Korea more approachable; that depends how much of a necessity they are to us and if they will gain a leader who is willing to negotiate and reform the relationship of North Korea and the rest of the world.
I doubt that he has been overthrown, but it is definitely possible. i think that they need a shift in power, because their people are not receiving any of their natural rights.
I really doubt that having someone as powerful as he is in his county that he could have been overthrown so quickly. He is probably just hiding out not dealing with his own affairs. He is a child leader after all.
An ideal scenario would include Kim Jong Un being overthrown, the new leaders making peace with the south, and moving their government towards a less communistic system. If only we lived in a perfect world. I doubt he has been overthrown. I think it is much more likely the government would use him as a puppet rather than kill him. It could very well be that he is ill, but the negotiations occurring down south beg to differ. Only time will tell with this case. I would really like to see their government change though, for the better.
I believe they need a new leader, whether he has or hasn't already been overthrown. I believe that it would be better for everyone if he lost power, because he is trying to fill shoes that are just too big. Bad leadership causes a huge amount stress for everyone, and this turns into mistakes, lack of adherence to rules, turnover and a whole host of other issues.
I think it is weird that the 2nd and 3rd top leaders of North Korea have alerted South Korea that they are willing to hold high-level meetings for what I assume would be discussions on the issues between the two nations. It doesn't seem likely that Kim Jong Un would let that happen under his control, however many things happen behind closed doors and there is always a chance of surprise. Apparently Kim Jong Un's family has a history of obesity and diabetes, which could explain the leader's weight gain and limp.
Although I think it is weird that North Korea is open to having a meeting with South Korea, I think that Kim Jong Un is ill and that's why he has been so absent from North Korean life.
However, if North Korea has overthrown or will overthrow Kim Jong Un, then I think that there is a possibility that North Korea will become a more open nation that will give its people more rights. It's a rare possibility though.
-- Edited by Amber Kennedy on Friday 10th of October 2014 05:46:36 PM
The people of The DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) worship him. They call him their Dear Leader and literally worship him and his two predecessors like gods. There is a cult of personality that has taken hold in the minds of most North Koreans and this must be considered. In state footage of Kim Jung Un visiting soldiers, most of them get emotional. Its a reaction you'd usually expect from teenage girls at a One Direction concert. According to their political philosophy thats almost a political religion, Juche, the "Great Leader" is a perfect person who never makes any mistakes and always has the goodwill of the working class in mind and is incorruptible. If there is a sect that wants to overthrow the government, they aren't likely a majority. Given this I highly doubt a coup has taken place.
As for his health, he was seen limping on state television. According to the families former personal chef, he likes to drink, and smokes. Who knows. Maybe he does have gout.
North Korea is so secretive all we can is speculate. Kim has been missing for so long even the State Media had to admit that he wasn't feeling well, this is strange since like his father and grandfather before him the State media tries to create a cult of personality around him. I think Kim still has control of the country as there would be more noticeable shuffling within the North Korean government if he had already lost power.
