By Kang Hyun-kyung
A new round of second-guessing over the possibility of a power struggle in North Korea has been raised in the latest media reports.
In the wake of North Korea's rescheduling of its Workers' Party Meeting last week, speculation has arisen as to the significance of the postponement regarding an upcoming power transfer in the reclusive communist country.
Former Japanese defense minister Yuriko Koike wrote in an op-ed piece published in South China Morning Post, about the possibility of an overly ambitious aunt of the North's heir apparent posing a formidable challenge to Kim Jong-un's rise to replace the Dear Leader.
"Kim Kyong-hui's intent to exercise power after her brother's (Kim Jong-il) death is supported by rumors she helped arrange a traffic accident in June that killed Ri Je-gang, a senior party official and perceived guardian of Kim Jong-un who reportedly attempted to oust Kim Kyong-hui and her allies from power," Koike said.
The former Japan's defense minister went on to say that the sister of the North Korean leader may have plans to become the successor herself.
Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, disagreed with Koike on the prospect of a power struggle in the North.
He told The Korea Times over the phone that given that support from the military is critical in becoming the North's next leader, the chances for Kim Kyong-hui, whose influence in the military is minimal, of rising to take authority were minimal.
Kim has served as a member of the Central Committee since 1988.
Cheong ruled out the possibility of her flexing her muscles in a power succession, saying she was not in a position to influence the process.
The Workers' Party Meeting is meaningful as it is the first such gathering in 44 years.
At first, analysts speculated that North Korean leader Kim could place his third son in an influential position in the party during the meeting to facilitate succession.
Last week, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter hinted such assumptions might not be accurate.
In a report posted on the Carter Center's website, the former U.S. President disclosed a bit of his conversation with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao regarding the power succession during his visit to China from Sept. 4 to 10.
Carter visited China shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in late August.
In thereport posted on the website of the Carter Center last week, the former U.S. President said, "(Premier Wen) surprised us by quoting the North Korean leader regarding the prospective promotion of his son, Kim Jong-un, as 'a false rumor' from the West."
The statement is contrary to current media reports and the views of North Korea specialists.
Carter said, "We'll just have to wait to learn the truth about the succession in power."
Many North Korea watchers here share the view that Jong-un has been tapped as the North's next leader and a power succession was well in place.
Cheong of the Sejong Institute said there is circumstantial resemblance between now and the mid 1990s when the power transfer from the late Kim Il-sung to his son Jong-il was under way.
"Back then, succession was a lot slower. Outsiders speculated that there might have been something wrong in the power transfer in the North. But that was not the case," the North Korea watcher said.