Kim Jong Il dying?

[Micah 16]

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease appear to be taking their toll on North Korea's dictator. Obviously, South Korea, Japan, and the United States are watching this event very closely. It makes me wonder of the implications if he dies. Do the people overthrow the government? Does an even more brutal dictator take over North Korea? Does China take it over? Will South Korea try to take it over? 

My thoughts: It's too soon to say anything, but I personally think that no one should be wanting him to die; though, I have a feeling that many poor North Korean would probably disagree with me. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18923894/

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Kim Jong was the son of Kim Sung, if Kim Jong has any kids they will surely take over, but opposing countries could see this lull as a chance to strike. It would be a bit inhuman for me to want him to die, but then what he has done to his people has been horribly inhuman. I will just say I think his country, his people and the world would be much better off if he did die.

[paulvmontfort 616]

personally, after seeing a documantary about North Korea I think most of the North Koreans wouldn't want him to die. If it happens. I think one of his children might take over. I just hope he allows more freedom unlike his father. I just hope North Korea will become more open to the world.

[Odainsaker 2,134]

We can probably get a glimpse of what might happen from the deaths of Kim Il Sung, Josef Stalin, and Mao Zedong: Jockeying behind the scenes within the dead leader's inner circle to swiftly fill the vacuum followed by the purge of suddenly denounced inner circle rivals, while the people carefully and bizarrely show the scripted public level of patriotic grief so as not to be denounced by their neighbors and purged as well. So who is Kim Jong Il's inner circle lieutenant in charge of state internal security?

[hamsterTK 93]

yeah

its usually unlikely that a non-monarch dictator is able to successfully position a family member without strong political/revolutionary ties as a successor. Kim Sung-Kim Jong were very much exceptions to the rule.

either way, its gonna be a long time before North Korea is a nice place. Even when he croaks I doubt that anybody's overthrowing anything, unless its a military coup that wants more of the same crap. Actually, I bet when he dies things are actually going to be even worse then they are now.

China was lucky I think, when Mao died in 1976, lined up were the guys who were also revolutionaries and actually had brains and werent eevil(as opposed to mao who kind of went loopy) took over. It was ugly I suppose for certain sides, but in the end Xiaopeng was a decent guy and set China straight and put it on the path its on now.

I dunno if NK can do this, because KJI is a second generation guy, and all theyve known is the structure of rich/exploited, and probably want to keep it.

[Odainsaker 2,134]

Unless, of course, you were among the original radicals of the Gang of Four or Mao's wife, who were all quickly put away by the new ideologues. At least that was the end of the truly warped Cultural Revolution.

I've seen video of the public expression of grief in Pyongyang after Kim Il Sung died. It was almost over-the-top as everyone in the crowds tried to out do each other in wailing and tears before the state cameras.

When it was announced that Stalin had died, some Chinese expatriots mentioned how they had to show just the right level of public remorse by both not being seen as either lacking in sufficient grief or showing so much public grief that you might be suspected of faking it. Everyone bowed their heads before the cameras, but were careful to make those sideways glances to check that they were doing the same as everyone else and not standing out. Ah, the Communist ideal!

Anyone remember the broadcast scene of mass chaos as funeral crowds stormed the casket of Ayatollah Khomeini, accidentally smashing it open and nearly dropping him to the ground as everyone tried to get a last glimpse?

Now, how long till Castro finally goes...

[crazyyaya 4]

Good ridens, he's done nothing but evil, I'm praying for a democratic take over.

[coolotter88 2]

korea has always been conquered by the chinese and japanese...but that was a long time ago...

[Orlandoedwin640 0]

There might be a war if he dies. NK will go buzirk.

[hamsterTK 93]

When Castro dies, all that I know is that there is gonna be a huge ass party in Miami

Personally I have no idea how North Korean politics work, or who is below KJI and what factions there, if any. Does anyone have any insight on this?

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: hamsterTK When Castro dies, all that I know is that there is gonna be a huge ass party in Miami

quote>

can't wait

[Deever 23]

personally, after seeing a documentary about North Korea I think most of the North Koreans wouldn't want him to die.quote>

Agreed. I've seen that documentary too (Inside North Korea I think) and based on it, most of the people there are not going to like the death of their great leader. Some go as far as treating Kim Jong Il like a god.

When Kim Jong Il's father died, the whole nation became an emotional wreck. But someone's got to take over right? And KJI did take over. The result? Nothing changed much. North Korea was still pretty much the same.

A nation that banned cell phones, unplugged the internet, and has absolutely no form of trade whatsoever will eventually have to face that scenario again.

Hmmm. . . This thread has the potential to become North Korea Discussion or something like that.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Let us all remember that this is based on a report by The United States of America intelligence community.  Now just how credible is that?

You may be sure that in the case of his death, it will remain unannounced until a new dictator emerges.  I suspect that the elite of NK enjoy their position, and don't give a hoot for their serfs.

[paperboy15 4]

Originally posted by: Deever

personally, after seeing a documentary about North Korea I think most of the North Koreans wouldn't want him to die.quote>

Agreed. I've seen that documentary too (Inside North Korea I think) and based on it, most of the people there are not going to like the death of their great leader. Some go as far as treating Kim Jong Il like a god.

quote>

That's how it appears on the surface..I was watching a documentary on North Korea...of course I can't even remember the network or the name of it, but it was about an eye doctor visiting the nation to perform routine eye surgeries on hundreds of North Koreans. After all the surgeries were complete all of the patients were gathered in a hall. Then, one patient's bandages were removed. That person, with their regained sight, would go up to the front and proclaim their fondness for their dear leader. This happened in turn with every last patient. It was so repetitive...didn't seem genuine at all.

Another interesting quick take on North Korea can be found here: http://www.current.tv/pods/travel/PD04812

[LivingInThePast 364]

I personally think China is going to "acquire" it and its nukes. As for Cuba, my wild dreams involve a billionaire buying it out and making it a resort for rich tourists.

[Micah 16]

I saw that documentary as well. Didn't it involve some teenagers crossing the border and they would eventually come back with cell phones from China, etc.?

[Goldfish4209 9]

Originally posted by: LivingInThePast I personally think China is going to "acquire" it and its nukes.quote>

AKA war? No country would be idiotic enough to invade another with the potential to completely wipe out the invader.

After KJI dies, the country will probably

1. Be taken over by his son/hier.

2. Go into chaos and emerge as some forced defunct democracy occupied by some country (US, I'm looking straight at you)

3. Become "normal/rational" and begin integrating with the rest of the world and begin unification process with south korea.

[deadperson21 3]

Why won't Fidel Castro die? He's been there forever. He's like a dinosaur or something.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Looks like he'll either be succeeded by his son, Kim-Jong nam or the Premier Kim-Yong il.

Kim-Jong nam was arrested I think so its most likley going to be Kim-Yong il.

I can't see much change in North Korea going to happen any time soon... and I highly doubt theres going to be any US, Chinese or South Korean intervention... just becuase Kim-Jong il might die doesn't mean the Armed forces will die with him...

[coolotter88 2]

There's probably a reason why cuba's healthcare is the best in the 3rd world. Castro wants to live as long as he can.

[simwario 95]

I don't think that his son will take over, when Kim Jong Ill dies, i've heard on a TV documentation that his son lives are far too west lifestyle... I think a military government might take over NK, after his death. As for the moral question of a person dying: I wish no one to suffer death, not even my worsest enemies.

[Pixelrage 34]

Him living or dying won't make a difference, as the leadership will turn out the same, either way.

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: Micah I saw that documentary as well. Didn't it involve some teenagers crossing the border and they would eventually come back with cell phones from China, etc.?quote>

i remember that, on cnn, correct? chilling documentary...

[kibblewitbit 0]

only an hour ago i watched a documentary on north korea on the national geographic channel, and the people there worship kim-jong il and his father as a fundamentalist religion. if kim-jong il dies the succesor will definately be in the family.