North Korea’s Kim Jong-il Is Kim Jong Ill
WONDER what will happen when the old despot Kim-shuffles off his Cuban heels and hangs up his bouffant. Is he ill. And if he goes, who’s his heir:
South Korean intelligence officials are investigating information that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s health has deteriorated recently, a source said.
“The National Intelligence Service has obtained information that the reclusive leader Kim’s diabetes and heart disease have been worsening. This information is more reliable than former rumors,” a government official said.
“It is known that U.S. intelligence officials are also looking into similar information,” the official added.
Kim was born in 1942 and is 66 years old this year. He has conducted official activities 23 times from January 1 to May 27 this year, which is half the number of activities he led by this time last year.
The North Korean leader’s most recent official activity was a visit to a military base on May 5, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. But since North Korean media usually report Kim’s activities later than when they actually occur, it is believed that Kim has not been involved in any official activities since the beginning of this month.
Many experts say Kim’s worsening health will ignite a fierce power struggle between his sons, Kim Jong-nam, who was born to the late Sung Hae-rim, and Kim Jong-chul and Kim Jong-woon, both born to the late Ko Young-hee.
Posted: 28th, May 2007 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
