By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had broached the sensitive issue but downplayed concerns over a possible abrupt transition in the North Korean leadership, Friday.
``This is not some kind of classified matter that is not being discussed in many circles... When you are thinking about the future dealings with a government that doesn't have any clear succession ― they (the North Koreans) don't have a vice president, they don't have a prime minister ― then it is something you have to think about,'' she said in a joint press conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan in Seoul.
``For me, as we look at planning and contingency planning, we are taking everything into account,'' she said.
``But we are dealing with the government that exists right now. That government is being asked to reengage with the six-party talks to fulfill the obligations they agreed to. We expect them to do so,'' the secretary said.
Clinton had already addressed the succession issue while en route to Seoul Thursday night.
``If there is a succession, even if it's a peaceful succession,'' she said, ``that creates more uncertainty, and it may also encourage behaviors that are even more provocative, as a way to consolidate power within the society.''
A senior U.S. State Department official said Clinton was merely stating the obvious; that Kim has not returned to his old form and his country is behaving in a way that bears the hallmarks of a country in the throes of a power struggle, according to the New York Times.
The issue regarding North Korea's succession has been a major concern since its leader, Kim Jong-il, allegedly suffered two strokes last year.
North Korea has yet to officially announce the Dear Leader's successor, but reports have said that Kim's third and youngest son, Jong-un, is expected to be the heir.
The Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun reported Tuesday that Jong-un, who has no official title, has been chosen as the successor.
Local analysts do not consider the reports completely groundless.
``He is known to be the favorite son of the senior Kim. Besides, he reportedly has strong leadership and a desire for power despite his young age,'' said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Inter-Korean Relations Studies Program at the Sejong Institute, in Seoul.
The junior Kim was reportedly born in late 1983 or early 1984, and is also said to take after his father, he added.
The North's recent military reshuffle supported the reports and speculation.
On Feb. 19, Pyongyang announced that Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong-chun had been appointed minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission, equivalent to the rank of defense minister in the South. The publicity accompanying the military shakeup is considered unusual.
``Kim's sons are too young to control the country. Thus, a top, influential military official might be needed to persuade the people that a proper succession has been made,'' Cheong said.
Moreover, the new minister is known as an aide to the late Ko Yong-hi, third wife of Kim Jong-il and mother of Jong-un, and reportedly contributed to the movement to idolize the late Ko in 2002 through his loyalty to her.
If it is true that the third son has been chosen for the future anointment, the minister would be suitable to help the transition, he said.