China has been saying similar thing all throughout Kim IlSung’s life time. And, it disapproved Kim’s giving the throne to his son.

But, do you know what? This is all talk.

Russia and China love the NK as is. Kims, the father and the son, has served these bosses like an Uncle Tom. Like a house nigger. Perfect servants, they are.

I sincerely believe NK nuke and missles are developed according to China’s ambitious plan of threatening SK and Japan into submission. NK is just a thug carrying out the boss’s wish.

China loves to play a two-faced mob boss.

Nothing. We hear a new set of rumours about succession twice a year, for nearly a decade (more frequently in recent years). So, unless we have clear confirmations - that is, increasingly visible signs of a Kim The Third’s personality cult - I would be inclined to ignore all such talks. Only wehn/if few people cofirm that somebody’s pictures are displayed, and references to some “young general, star of Pyongyang” will start popping up in the North Korean press (and not one reference, but few!) I would start taking these statements seriously.

I speculate this is what China told them to do. No princes becoming kings after the current Kim croaks.

The reasoning was that even the elite will be compelled to rebel if another Kim takes office, and especially if that Kim also fails to alleviate hunger and meeting basic human needs.

So, I agree with Lankov. It will be Kim’s elite Pyong Yang citizens who will eventually show dissent and rebel.

China knows this, too.

That’s why China pressured North Korea to make such an annoucnement as “no 3rd generation Kim as next ruler of North Korea.”

Dr. Lankov is absolutely right on this.

It was ytn, chosun, or ap.

I think Captain BBQ was being facetious. The “bay of…” reference at the end of his post is an oblique reference to 1961 Bay of Pigs fiasco.

NK is not like Russia or China.

It is more like Cuba or Iran. NKs believe in their system, so much so that they are willing to die of starvation.

Their loyal attitude toward Kim Jongil is without question. It has been fifty years of heavy indoctrination without no contact with outside world. And, their worship of KJI is in religious ferver.

When KJI dies, his son will take over and continue. However, I have strong suspicion that KJI will start a war in his lifetime. As the US forces withdraw, he will have his chance.

Pouring money and resources will only fill KJI’s pocket and help him to strengthen his grip on the population. PyengYang and some border regions are Disneyland designed to fool the outsiders. Nothing changed in the country side; they are all waiting for the red balloon to go up.

Hmmm… Is not Iraq one war too many?

What? What did I say?