Kim Jong Il has died

[CeeKay]

figured I'd post it here since it'll probably turn political:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/18/9544976-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-il-dies

SEOUL, South Korea -- Kim Jong Il, North Korea's mercurial and enigmatic leader, has died. He was 69.

A state television presenter made the announcement Monday, saying that the leader died Saturday on a train trip, Reuters reported. The announcer said he had died of physical and mental over-work on his way to give "field guidance."

Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008 but appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media.

The leader, reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine, was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.

The news came as North Korea prepared for a hereditary succession. Kim Jong Il inherited power after his father, revered North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994.

so, now will the son be better, the same, or worse?

[Roman]

good riddance. I wonder how many from the North will physically collapse when the time finally comes for the 2 Koreas to unite? Can you imagine their utter disbelief when they see how the rest of the world actually lives? I feel sorry for them - I really do.

[Zinfan]

I'm wondering if his son will take over.  I think that is the plan and I'm worried he may decide to test some of the toys in his arsenal.  I cannot imagine how a country can continue to be run by such a corrupt/insane leadership.

[corruptrelic]

[TiLT]

I'm glad the old bastard died (there are very few people in the world whose death would make me happy, but this is one of them). It's not going to help stabilize the situation in Korea though. My impression is that the military is actually pretty powerful politically and may challenge the leader of the country, which is why Kim Jong-il occasionally threatened South Korea. It wasn't to scare the South Koreans, but to show the North Korean military who's in charge. With Kim Jong-il gone, the military could attempt a coup, which is even more likely when you consider that Kim Jong-il's oldest son is being skipped for leadership already, to be replaced with his younger brother.

[Ironrod]

I suppose that hoping the Korean people will take the opportunity to rise up is pure fantasy. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[PR_GMR]

(claps loudly and furiously)

Good riddance to this repressive bastard.

[hepcat]

Lineage subscriptions just went down by 1.

There was an article by a national threat assessment expert who noted that the usual response to any shake up within North Korea was to immediately demonstrate they still had teeth with a test missile launch...

...which they promptly did soon after I read that piece.

[Teggy]

Something odd I read was that Kim Jong Il was the worlds largest customer of Hennessey cognac.

I also heard on NPR that the missile launch was prior to the announcement of his death, so it may have been a coincidence.

In a small way I feel bad for the guy, because he just took over for his equally bad father and was likely brainwashed and the same for his son, the new leader.

[hepcat]

20 things you didn't know about dear leader.

[Purge]

<bracing for homefronts' predictions ... >

[Teggy]

Wow, just wow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pSWN6Qj98Iw#!

[hepcat]

A former British diplomat to N. Korea noted in another article I read today that most (if not all) of these instances of hysterical weeping are probably not sincere.  It's what's expected of them so they do it.  you can actually see that the mourners are standing in even, formal rows in most (if not all) of those clips...as if they're being directed.

[Teggy]

A former British diplomat to N. Korea noted in another article I read today that all these instances of hysterical weeping are probably not sincere.  It's what's expected of them so they do it.  you can actually see that the mourners are standing in even, formal rows in most (if not all) of those clips...as if they're being directed.

Yeah, I kind of thought they pulled them out of school, stood them on a spot and said, "we're torturing your puppy and your mom in that building over there. Stand here for 2 hours and we'll stop.'

[Roman]

Zero actual tears too. I just saw another video of a man saying the same thing about turning his sorrow into energy for the son. What utter crap.


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[Teggy]

The slamming the hands in to the ground is what makes it so over the top.

[Purge]

Wow, just wow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pSWN6Qj98Iw#!

What they don't show is the 15 people they shot for not crying enough.

Also, Kim Jong Il statue has him towering over children. Compensate much?

[Blackjack]

If you're wondering what it's like in North Korea (it comes across largely as a "fake" place because they don't want outsiders to see anything but manicured perfection) , this report is interesting:

North Korea: What it's like inside secretive nation
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/19/north-korea-what-its-like-inside-secretive-nation/?hpt=hp_c1

[hepcat]

this is still my favorite tour of North Korea.

[Zinfan]

this is still my favorite tour of North Korea.

Amazing report, makes you wonder how the country puts up with it and how long it can last.  Also what happens when North Korea implodes? 

[Blackjack]

kim jong-un looking at things
http://kimjongunlookingatthings.tumblr.com/

Clearly, the kid needs a new hairstylist.

[McBa1n]

this is still my favorite tour of North Korea.

Good link. It's a good watch.