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China-Japan-Koreas
Kim Jong Il 'names favorite son Jong Un as Successor
2009-01-15
Intelligence sources in Seoul today suggested that – very much against the expectations of South Korean analysis – Mr Kim, 66, has chosen this youngest and favourite son, Jong Un, to take over the all-pervasive family personality cult that controls the country.

The potential heir, who is thought to be no more than 24 years old, was educated in Switzerland and is the offspring of Kim’s third marriage and supposedly favourite wife – a woman who died five years ago.

Posted by:Yosemite Sam

#7  "High blood pressure and diabetes" > IOW, the Son may barely survive the Father, as before or after, and NOT live that long???

Reminds me of certain ancient American and Asian indigenous cultures, where those whom were to be sacrificed to the Gods were highly publicly celebrated and given the best of everything - food, clothes, gifts, etc. even women for sex and companionship. Depending on time of year for execution, it was even possible for the condemned Men to get married and have babies, as long as everyone knew Hubby = Baby Daddy was a goner at the proper time.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2009-01-15 22:39  

#6  The youngest son is said to be 175 centimeters tall and weigh about 90kg due to a lack of exercise. He reportedly already has high blood pressure and diabetes. Unlike his brothers, no images of him have been captured by foreign media

Till now!
Posted by: DMFD   2009-01-15 20:53  

#5  

The youngest son is said to be 175 centimeters tall and weigh about 90kg due to a lack of exercise. He reportedly already has high blood pressure and diabetes. Unlike his brothers, no images of him have been captured by foreign media.

Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC   2009-01-15 18:00  

#4  Family feud - Asia Times Apr 28, 2006

The rise of Kim Jong-chol as possible successor comes against the decline of other possible contenders, namely his brother and half-brother.

Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of Jong-chol, was widely assumed to be the heir until 2001, when he embarrassed his father with his highly publicized arrest in Japan while en route to Tokyo Disneyland. He was carrying a large sum of cash and traveling on a fake Dominican Republic passport. Recent reports that tie Jong-nam to the counterfeiting of US dollars through Macau - which prompted swift US action against Pyongyang to curtail the activities - have diminished his standing even further. A South Korean intelligence analyst said in February that Jong-nam has been rendered even more unsuitable for leadership in "his father's mind due to the Macau bank problem".

Kim Jong-un, the youngest son, is considered too callow for political work, though South Korean intelligence analysts have carefully considered him as a successor despite his age. In 2003, Kim Jong-il's former chef published a book under the pseudonym Kenji Fujimoto that suggested Jong-chol was unfit for leadership - making Jong-un the default successor (see Cook and tell: Another chef spills the beans, July 2, 2003).
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC   2009-01-15 17:30  

#3  Jong Un, due to certain proclivities, will be known as the "Fabulous Leader".
Posted by: Iblis   2009-01-15 16:06  

#2  He must really hate that kid. I'd rather inherit a dose of terminal clap.
Posted by: Spot   2009-01-15 15:50  

#1  I just heard his name and I already have adoring love and heartfelt devotion to him.
Posted by: Penguin   2009-01-15 14:38  

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