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June 2, 2009

North Korean Leader Chooses Successor Amid Signs of More Brinkmanship
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Intelligence analysts say Kim Jong Il appears to have selected youngest
son, Kim Jong Un to take his place 
Kim Jong Il (file photo)The North Korean leader has apparently chosen
person who will eventually succeed him. That news accompanies possible
signs of North Korean mid-range missile tests, in addition to the
long-range rocket the North may be planning to launch, later this month.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service disclosed to lawmakers in
Seoul Tuesday North Korea's long-awaited plans for leadership in a
future, post-Kim Jong Il era. 

Youngest son Intelligence analysts say the North Korean leader appears
to have selected his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, to take his place.
Relatively little is known about the younger Kim. He is 26 or 27 years
old. He is the son of Kim Jong Il's third wife, Ko Yong Hee. He was sent
to a private boarding school in Switzerland for part of his education.
Media reports quote his schoolmates as saying he is a fan of NBA
basketball - especially star athlete Michael Jordan. Lee Sang-hyun, an
international security analyst with South Korea's Sejong Institute, is
among many scholars who believe North Korea's recent nuclear weapon test
is linked to Kim Jong Il's plans for succession. He says, if North Korea
can become recognized as a nuclear weapons nation, it can demand more
compensation from the United States at international disarmament talks.
That, says Lee, would allow a more stable transition of power in the
North. More missile tests The North's succession plans accompany what
analysts say are actions consistent with test launch plans for medium
and long-range missiles - possibly within the next few weeks. South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak wrapped up a summit of Southeast Asian
leaders Tuesday, saying the group agreed to cooperate more tightly on
security issues like North Korea. He says the leaders reaffirmed their
commitments on getting rid of nuclear weapons, and called North Korea's
nuclear test a serious threat to peace in Northeast Asia. No sanctions
North Korea has warned of what it calls "additional defensive measures,"
if it is sanctioned for its recent nuclear test. South Korean defense
officials say they are stepping up surveillance of the North's
activities on land and at sea. Seoul is particularly concerned about a
disputed maritime area west of the Korean peninsula, where the two
Koreas have fought two naval battles in the past ten years. North Korea
has never recognized the United Nations-drawn sea border there and
warned last week it could not "guarantee the safety" of American and
South Ko
rean ships there. South Korea's navy has redeployed some of its top
ships, included an Aegis class destroyer and a new guided missile ship
with stealth capabilities, to the area. Bae Myung-woo is a South Korean
navy spokesman. He says South Korea will secure an overwhelming and
predominant position of military power in its territorial waters. He
says this will deter North Korea from any provocation at sea.


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