 The son of Kim Jong-il, North Korea's reclusive dictator, has been living in five-star luxury in the gambling haven of Macau even as his people starve, according to reports in Hong Kong yesterday. Kim Jong-nam, 35, was tracked to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where he has been staying on and off for three years.
| The two-bedroom suite with a resort view is about $1,040 a night. |
While the international community alternates sanctions on his father for his nuclear weapons programme with economic aid for his starving subjects, the younger Kim has been spotted gambling in Macau's numerous casinos and eating in local restaurants, according to the South China Morning Post.
| And perhaps to keep an eye on the family finances -- at least the part he doesn't piss away at the gambling tables. |
Although travel is strictly proscribed for North Korean citizens, Kim Jong-nam has roamed the world.
| Because rules are for the little people. |
He was educated partly in Switzerland, but first came to public prominence in the West when he was caught travelling on a false passport at Tokyo airport in 2001. He told immigration officials that he wanted to take his young son to Tokyo Disneyland.
Since then, indications are that he has been in disgrace with his father and has been excluded from the succession, probably in favour of his half-brother, Kim Jong-chol, 23.
| He's the son of Ko Yong Hee, Kimmie's third wife. The lad is a cipher and the only known photo of him is at age 13. |
Kim Jong-il himself succeeded his father, Kim il-Sung, and since he turns 65 later this month, whether one of his sons is appointed to follow him is becoming more a matter of concern. Kim junior's disgrace suggests he might be in semi-exile in Macau. |