A Struggle For Power Becomes Apparent In North Korea

Kim Jong-il Photo: REUTERS

Power Struggle Rages In North Korean Regime -- The Telegraph

A fierce battle is being waged behind the scenes for control of North Korea as Kim Jong-il prepares to anoint his successor, it has emerged.

Factional in-fighting has broken out between Chang Song-taek, the rogue state's second-in-command, and a group of senior reform-minded officials, according to a source who has recently met people at the highest levels of the North Korean government.

The battle between the two sides comes as Kim Jong-il, the 68-year-old "Dear Leader", is in frail health and no concrete succession plan has yet to emerge.

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My Comment: What is happening in North Korea today reminds me of the succession crisis that occurred in China after Mao passed away. The old establishment wanted to continue with Mao's policies and rigid approach towards the economy .... the reformers wanted to liberalize the entire system and loosen up the communist grip on power. Two opposing sides .... a political battle that resulted with the reformers winning, and the old guard being forced to retire and/or put in jail.

I sense that North Korea is following the same path. This is not a surprise ..... North Korea will eventually need liberalize itself from its communist past as well as searching for a more peaceful accommodation with South Korea ..... but before that is to happen .... this political battle between reformers and hard core communists/Jong-il's successors must run its course.