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China-Japan-Koreas
Kim Jong-il's Health 'Getting Rapidly Worse'
2009-06-19
The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is rapidly deteriorating, prompting the hasty decision to name his third son Jong-un as heir apparent, sources told the Chinese press. The Global News, a sister paper of the official PeopleÂ’s Daily, on Thursday quoted a foreign ambassador in Pyongyang as saying that Kim Jong-il's fragile health made the situation in North Korea "very complicated."
There's a warm spot on the bench next to Himmler for him ...
The envoy told the Global News that authorities in Pyongyang are keeping tight lid on information about Kim's health.

A North Korean source in Beijing said Beijing-based North Korean officials from Ponghwa Hospital, which is treating Kim's illness, are looking to import expensive medical equipment, which has become contraband since the North conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. Pyongyang is also seeking to import an emergency helicopter from overseas. "Kim seems to be in serious condition," the source added.
Posted by:Steve White

#19  From WaPo: insurance fraud is one way they get cash.

Posted by: JAB   2009-06-19 17:11  

#18  The buzzards rejoice. Great picture for this item, thanks Steve.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon   2009-06-19 16:33  

#17  Stabilizing rapidly
Posted by: mojo   2009-06-19 15:50  

#16  The work with the pins and dolls is beginning to pay off.
Posted by: JohnQC   2009-06-19 14:34  

#15  If Kimmie really is going out, is it possible he plans to go out with a "Bang"? Slight anxiety over that upcoming Missle launch, and whether it could possibly be armed. After-all, if Kimmie's reign is coming to an end, why not throw an "all in"?
Posted by: Charles   2009-06-19 14:06  

#14   I'd like to believe that the sanctions really are preventing them from importing the medical equipment that he needs.

Not a chance. With the resources of a nation-state, anything can be bought and shipped in.
Posted by: john frum   2009-06-19 12:55  

#13  A good Friday Morning, indeed...
Posted by: Clem Spick8834   2009-06-19 11:54  

#12  I'd like to believe that the sanctions really are preventing them from importing the medical equipment that he needs. Might make some of the other piss ant dictators in this world think twice about their own anti-social behavior.

It's nice to see that buzzard hanging around ol' Kimmie.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2009-06-19 11:52  

#11  Not Awec Bawdrin?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2009-06-19 11:38  

#10  "...a foreign ambassador in Pyongyang as saying that Kim Jong-il's fragile health made the situation in North Korea "very complicated>."

Then bring in Denice Richards as his lead doctor.
Posted by: Lord garth   2009-06-19 08:20  

#9  Good riddance.
Posted by: DarthVader   2009-06-19 07:53  

#8  Will Barry lower the flag to half-mast? Attend the funeral? Fly on to China for a Great Wall tour?
Posted by: Besoeker   2009-06-19 07:51  

#7  Kim Jong-il - Kim Old-Dead - You had your time, did nothing but crime. My wish for you RIH - Rest in H-LL - may you be visited by all you torched,starved,molested and may this be visited upon you until the end of time.
Posted by: Shusotch Peacock2747   2009-06-19 07:36  

#6  The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is rapidly deteriorating,...

Faster, please.

It's a pity he won't meet his fate at the end of a rope, but you takes what you can gets.
Posted by: Mike   2009-06-19 07:01  

#5  One week.

Those curses really DO work.
Posted by: newc   2009-06-19 06:54  

#4  #3 So, any armchair diagnosticians want to give a prognosis on how long Kim's got, based on his earlier health and stroke last year?
Posted by: gromky 2009-06-19 03:01

About twenty years longer than he should have had, all things considered.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2009-06-19 04:04  

#3  So, any armchair diagnosticians want to give a prognosis on how long Kim's got, based on his earlier health and stroke last year?
Posted by: gromky   2009-06-19 03:01  

#2  What are they going to do with an emergency helicopter? Fly Kimmie to the ER?

His 20is yr old son won't keep things going. NK is likely to crack up if he croaks now. Any general who takes power will lack the hereditary argument to rule and will not be uncontested.

Hope this is true.
Posted by: JAB   2009-06-19 01:05  

#1  HMMMM, HMMMMM, wehell, could explain WORLD MIL FORUM > IIUC NORTH KOREA SENDS ENVOY ON SUDDEN SECRET/COVERT VISIT TO BEIJING.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2009-06-19 00:14  

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