“On the outside, it appears to be stable but there are signs of conflicts within.”
This was a comment made by a South Korean government official as North Korea observed the first anniversary of the death of the late leader Kim Jong-il.
Kim’s son, Jong-un, seems to have secured control of the Workers’ Party, government and the military within a short period of time but there are signs of instability in many aspects of the leadership.
Kim Jong-un was elevated to the level of the commander-in-chief of the North Korean military Dec. 30 last year, became the general secretary of the Workers’ Party in April, placing him as the undisputed leader of the country within four months.
It took his father four years to win the same status.
The most important part of the handing over of power to the third generation was gaining control of the military.
To achieve this goal, Kim Jong-un proceeded to conduct a major reshuffle of the military leadership, replacing the political bureau chief and dismissing Li Young-ho, the powerful chairman of the chief of staff.
On another front, Kim has been accompanied by wife Li Sul-joo on trips to the provinces and met with local residents in an effort to get closer to the people, apparently to make up for the lack of charisma of the 29-year-old leader.
The trips were also seen to highlight his likeness to North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, the grandfather.