Kim Jung Eun as the Destiny of North Korea - Case Study Example

 The influence of Korea’s third successor, Kim Jung Eun The history and destiny of North Korea has been entwined with the family of Kim Il Sung and the most recent declared head of state, Kim Jung eun is the third in line from the same family that has dominated economic and political affairs of the country ever since the end of the IInd World War. The country has largely isolated itself from the global economic network and its leaders have long been associated with a rigid, totalitarian regime. This tiny country has often found itself at the centre of the world stage, cast in a negative light by its rigid adherence to a closed economic policy that has refused to allow the country to be influenced by the world’s democratic policies or free market policies. The third in line – Kim Jung eun has already received bad press alleging the abuse of farming officials, in much the same vein as his father and grandfather. This essay will specifically analyse four articles from various newspapers in order to ascertain the indications which suggest that the third successor in the family may well influence the rest of the world in much the same way as his forbears did, continuing the totalitarian, undemocratic regime so that the people of North Korea remain relatively untouched by global influences. Background: Kim Il Jung first came to power when North Korea separated itself from the South and declared itself a separate country on 9th September 1948 in the post IInd World War era. Availing of support from the Soviet Union, he instituted a series of economic and political reforms to convert North Korea into a Communist state, including the nationalization of Japanese property (www.news.bbc.co.uk). The subsequent war that broke out between North and South Korea was largely the result of political and ideological differences between the two countries, with each becoming aligned with one or the other of the superpowers. In the 1950’s, Kin Il Sung instituted the “Juche” or self reliance policy, giving rise to a rigid, state controlled, economic system with high levels of military spending which has driven North Korea further and further into poverty. The situation deteriorated to the extent that the country was defaulting on all of its loans in the 1980s and still, the ruler refused to open the country’s borders and markets to international trade. When Kim Il Sung died, his son Kim Jong-il took control of the military but did not immediately assume the title of head of State. Some high level officials however, who would have ascended to the post, died mysteriously and the son took on the mantle of General Secretary of North Korea’s Communist Party (www.news.bbc.co.uk). There have been allegations of nepotism as several of Kim Jon-il’s relatives have been given high level posts and the leader has been carefully cultivating the military to ensure their support. His son, Kin Jong eun has now taken on the mantle of the head of State, in view of his father’s old age. The policies that have been followed by the two Kims have caused the successive deterioration of the country’s economy so that it exists in a precarious state, with any wealth being aggregated into the hands of a few powerful relatives through nepotism. Discontent from the military and disintegration of the state could have disastrous consequences on the world scene, but the new successor to the leadership mantle appears set to follow in the regressive footsteps of his forbears, as may be gleaned from the newspaper articles discussed below. Newspaper articles – analysis: An article in the Los Angeles times suggests that the legacy of nepotism continues, since the new ruler has accepted the post over a non family member, and his half brother has contested the nepotism in the declaration of Kim Jong Eun as the new leader. Both the father and grandfather of the new leader followed the policy of providing relatively unchecked powers to the military over the civilians, in order to ensure that the leader remained in power and did not face a coup in the wake of economic hardships caused by the end of foreign aid. The new leader has countenanced similar abuse straight away, as soldiers engaged in the construction of a building for the new leader raided nearby villages and has not taken any disciplinary action. According to Glionna article, the new leader will need the support of the military, because in the long run, “they’re the ones who are going to keep King Jong Eun in power.” (Glionna, 2010). Kim Jong Eun appears set to continue the tradition of abuse of power and the economic restrictions that were characteristic of the rule of his ancestors. Foster (2010) in his article, has discussed the coming out party of the new ruler and his love for luxury and delicacies. Simultaneously however, North Korea has also been blamed for the sinking of the South Korean submarine named Chenoyan. Although the country denies the reports, it is clear that the cause of the violent act against its neighbour is the result of North Korea’s frustration with the cessation of free aid from Western countries that was instigated by its neighbour. The new leader has clearly demonstrated that he is as tough as his forbears and is likely to continue their repressive policies. The nepotism and power struggle underlying the new leader’s ascension to the post, due to the bid of his half brother to capture the post, have been highlighted in an article by Lee (2010), who uses it as an opportunity to underscore the instability in the country and the potential for war breaking out. The country has been facing tensions for several years, and the country has not erupted into civil disorder and war with South Korea only because of the support accorded by the military to the leaders. The announcement of Kim Jong Eun’s leadership in the middle of the night only follows in the tactics of subterfuge and underhand power grabbing characteristic of previous rule in North Korea, thereby placing the new leader in the same mould. China Digital reports on the surprise second visit of Kim Jong Il on August 26th, within the short space of four months(www.economist.com). This article suggests that the reason for the visit could have been a cementing of the ties between North Korea and China in the wake of cessation of aid from the Western nations, to also create acceptance of his successor as the new leader of the country. The visit was also successful in gaining agreements for food aid and the use of some harbour facilities. China is one of the few allies of North Korea because it has a similar political ideology of Communism, although it does not follow the policy of economic isolation. This article also suggests that Kim Jong II was preparing the way for his son to follow his own policies. Conclusions: On the basis of the above articles, it can be clearly concluded that the new leader of North Korea appears to be following the dictatorial patterns set by his father and grandfather and adhering to the Communist ideology. Associated with this ideology has been the policy of economic isolation and the restrictions on international trade, so that the outside world is rendered largely ineffective in regulating what goes on within the borders of North Korea. In recent times, South Korea’s actions have produced a cessation of unconditional economic aid for North Korea, wherein it was not required to modify its ideology to receive aid. The sinking of the South Korean submarine Chenoyan appears to be a retribution for South Korea’s actions, posing the threat of war during a critical period of transition of leadership in North Korea. The articles above all appear to contain indications that the future legacy of the new ruler is likely to be in the same mould as that of his forbears. He appears to share a taste for luxury and expensive delicacies in a Communist country that has long been stricken by poverty due to the repressive economic policies and the greed of the rulers. The sinking of the Chenoyan is a subtle threat, suggesting that the new ruler is likely to continue the legacy of his father in preserving tense relations with South Korea and the dangers of war. The state of internal tension within the country also appears set to continue because the new ruler also provides support for the military, even when they function in an undemocratic manner towards the civilians. All of these suggest that the new leader will follow the same policies as his predecessors and adhere to the Communist policy as evidenced through the overtures to China. The donning of the mantle by the new ruler also occurred at midnight, heralding the stealth and subterfuge which are likely to accompany the abuse of power, continuing the destructive legacy of his father and grandfather rather than allowing the fresh waves of democracy and economic interactions with the world through trade, to blow into the country. References: Glionna, John M, 2010. “North Korea’s Kim Jong Eun already getting some bad press”, Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2010; Retrieved November 22, 2010 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/783966.stm “Greetings Comrades – what lies behind the dear leader’s latest trip to China?” The Economist, Beijing,September 2, 2010; retrieved November 22, 2010 from: http://www.economist.com/node/16945299?story_id=16945299&fsrc=rss “Inside the mind of North Korea’s Kim Jong Il”, The Telegraph, November 22, 2010; retrieved November 22, 2010 from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/7783510/Inside-the-mind-of-North-Koreas-Kim-Jong-il.html Lee, Sunny, 2010. “Kim the younger steals the show”, Asia Times Online, September 29, 2010; Retrieved November 22, 2010 from: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/LI29Dg01.html “North Korea: a political history”, BBC News, 9 June, 2000; Retrieved November 22, 2010 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/783966.stm Read More