Reports are suggesting Kim Jong-un is facing health scares and is reportedly preparing for succession and shoring up power for his Kim dynasty for generations to come.
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Alleged health problems
In May 2020, Jong-un was spotted with a tiny mark on his forearm which led analysts to speculate that it could be a trace of an IV drip, having undergone surgery or suffering from a chronic disease.
The appearance of Jong-un that day at a fertiliser plant came after a month-long absence from the public.
According to The Telegraph, at the time, medical observers suggested that the spot-shaped wound could have been related to a cardiovascular procedure, possibly fora stent placement.
Peter Ward, a North Korea expert and post-doctoral researcher at Seoul’s Kookmin University believes that Jong-un feels more vulnerable now:
He probably feels more mortal now than he did three years ago, and he had Covid earlier this year apparently as well,
According to The Telegraph, Jong-un is now in a 'midlife crisis' and facing health problems again, this is why, since 2011, he has been eliminating potential opponents and prepping possible successors.
Dr Choi Jinwook, a Seoul-based North Korea academic, said:
I heard he is crying after drinking a lot. He is very lonely and under pressure,
Kim Jong-un’s midlife crisis: ‘He’s crying after drinking a lot’ https://t.co/OZbkY25yO3
— Benedict Rogers 羅傑斯 (@benedictrogers) January 8, 2023
Securing power for others from the Kim dynasty
Ward also believes that the regime is aware of Kim’s mortality this is why, discretely, there are new positions emerging like the ‘first secretary’ which is a kind of deputy role within the ruling party hierarchy:
It seems to be because they are concerned about managing another illness.
In a report by The Irish Sun, Jong-un is described as ‘sickly’ and is allegedly preparing his sister Kim Yo-jong and his daughter Kim Jue-ae to take up the reign in case something happens to him.
Michael Madden, director and founder of NK Leadership Watch, agrees that Kim’s sister would be the likely candidate to step up:
If Kim Jong-un were to be debilitated or pass away, we would probably see a collective leadership of core North Korean elites with Kim Yo-jong at its centre as the regime's key decision maker.
While rumours suggest that long term it will be Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Jue-ae, who will seize poweronce she grows up and completes her education.
Dr Edward Howell, lecturer in politics atNew College, University of Oxford, believes the public appearance of Jong-un with his daughter is about reassuring everyone about the Kim dynasty:
Showing Kim Ju-ae in public carriers a clear message: the Kim regime is here to stay. Kim seems intent to be clear that he is not going anywhere, anytime soon.
Read more:
⋙ Who is Kim Ju Ae? Kim Jong-un's 'most beloved daughter' and potential heir
⋙ Kim Jong-un may be passing down his legacy to his 9-year-old daughter
Sources used:
-TheTelegraph: 'Kim Jong-un’s midlife crisis: ‘He’s crying after drinking a lot’
-TheIrishSun: 'HOUSE OF KIM How ‘sickly’ Kim Jong-un is readying his sister and DAUGHTER, 9, to take over to ‘coup-proof’ regime amid ill health'
