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Death of Kim Jong II raises concern over N. Korean successor
By Haejin Song
Staff Writer
Ear piercing cries, Kimjungilia flowers,
and a teary, younger version of an infamous
dictator — this was the scene that filled the
chaotic city of Pyongyang on the day of Kim
Jong Il's funeral.
On Dec. 17, 2011, the "Dear Leader" of
North Korea, Kim Jong II, died from a heart
attack that ended his prominent rule of the
isolated nation.
On Dec. 19, an emotional anchor on North
Korean state television informed its citizens
of their leader's death. The North Korean
leader's frail health had been presumed
for some time by North Korean analysts
after he failed to attend a parade celebrating
North Korea's 60^“ anniversary back in 2008,
AFP reported. After circulating reports of
his search for a successor the international
community began to focus on one young man
who was suddenly appointed as a four- star
general and vice chairman of the Central
Military Commission of the Workers' Party.
This was none other than Kim Jong Un,
the third son of Kim Jong II and the currently
recognized successor of his father.
Very little is known of Kim Jong Un, who
is in his late twenties. According to ABC
News, he attended an international school in
Switzerland using the name "Pak Un" where
he was a quiet and unassuming young man.
His former classmates recollect the leader's
penchant for basketball, his collection of
expensive Nike shoes, and photos of himself
taken with Toni Kukoc and Kobe Bryant,
reported The Korea Times.
Having been abruptly taken back to
Pyongyang without a trace, it was not long
before he publicly reappeared beside the
military generals and his father.
Dubbed the "Great Successor" and the
"Supreme Leader," Kim Jong Un has been
meticulously portrayed as a genius by
the North Korean media. A documentary
presented on Kim Jong Un's birthday exalts
the young leader by stating he wrote a
military strategy thesis at the age of 16 and
often skipped meals to study. With North
Korea's history of political propaganda, it is
no surprise to other nations that the North
Korean media carefully continues to build
upon the Kim dynasty's image and paint an
acclaimed portrait of their "Dear Leader's"
son.
Many, such as Nicholas Miller '07, question
Kim Jong Un's supposed experiences in the
military. Miller, an analyst with the Center for
Strategic Research and Analysis, mentioned
in The Diplomat, that due to Kim Jong Un's
"lack of experience and apparent inability
to consolidate power ... he will need to
look towards his guardians to assist him in
securing a stable transition and running the
country."
On the contrary. North Korea emphasizes
its sole trust and confidence in the highly
qualified young leader. According to the
Associated Press, Yang Hyong Sop, a North
Kim Jung Un, the third son of former North
leader Kim Jong-il, recently took his deceased
title as supreme leader of North Korea.
Korean official, said, "We are not worried
a bit ... we know that we are being led by
comrade Kim Jong Un, who is fully prepared
to carry on the heritage created by the great
Gen. Kim Jong II."
North Korea continues to emphasize their
country's stability and tries to shift away
from any uncertainty by boasting that it was
"at the epochal point of opening the gates of a
thriving country," reports CBS News.
While some are optimistic about cooperative
talks under North Korea's new
leadership, others remain highly
dubious of any reform and any
hope of transformation.
"Kim Jong Un is a big question
mark," said Robert Duncan, visiting
assistant professor of political
science. "He's had a pampered
and sheltered life. He's under the
influence of his family, the elites in
power, and the military. They are
not going to let him do anything
wild and crazy."
In regards to the hysteria of
H citizens reacting to Kim Jong Il's
5 death, Duncan does not think we
o should wholly believe what we see.
g "It's all staged," he explained.
3 "It's just like FOX news in this
^ country. They are projecting the
image they want everybody to
believe and it has no bearing to reality.
It's all propaganda from (North
Korea's) point."
When asked about the possible reunification
of South and North Korea in the future,
George Guo, associate professor of political
science, expressed similar skepticism.
"I don't see any kind of possibility in
the imminent future," Guo said. "North
Korea's relation with South Korea has been
very strained in the last two years and they
have completely different political systems
...It would be extremely difficult to find a
common ground."
Korean
father's
Tensions escalate in the conflict between Iran and the West
By Keyla Beebe
Staff Writer
Another nuclear scientist killed. An Iranian-American
sentenced to death. A second uranium enrichment site.
Threats to block Western oil access. These are some of the
recent factors that have contributed to the escalation of
tensions between Iran and the West.
An American sentenced to death
On Jan. 9, a 28-year-old Iranian-American was accused
of spying for the CIA^and sentenced to death by Iran's
Revolutionary Court, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Obama Administration issued a public statement
denying that Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine,
was a spy.
"We strongly condemn the death sentence verdict given
to Mr. Hekmati," said State Department spokeswoman
Victoria Nuland to The Wall Street Journal. "We've conveyed
our condemnation to the Iranian government through the
Swiss protecting power. We maintain, as we have from the
beginning, that these charges against him are a fabrication."
The Wall Street Journal reports that because Hekmati
holds an Iranian passport, he will be charged as a citizen
and has the traditional 20 days to appeal the court's verdict.
His charges include the highest crime in Islamic law, being
an enemy of God, or Moharebe, which results in the death
penalty.
"Iranians are concerned about American involvement,"
said Max Carter, director of the Friends Center and campus
ministry coordinator. "Think about American tourists. How
are they (the Iranians) to know they (the tourists) aren't
American spies?"
Iranian nuclear chemist killed
In the midst of mounting tensions about Iran's nuclear
program, Iranian chemist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, 32, was
killed on Jan. 11. The scientist was a director of the countries
primary uranium enrichment plan in central Iran.
A passing motorcyclist attached explosive bombs to his
car in morning traffic, according to the Guardian. His driver
was also killed.
The Guardian reports that three other Iranian nuclear
scientists have been killed in similar manners over the last
two years.
The Iranian government primarily suspects the U.S. and
Israel, despite the fact that the U.S. has denied involvement
in the attacks. However, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta
told BBC that the U.S. has "some ideas as to who might be
involved."
The Guardian reports that on Jan. 16, Iran arrested
suspects over the killing. The number of people arrested and
their nationalities remain unknown.
Second nuclear development site discovered
Nuclear development has also been an acute point of
conflict between the U.S. and Iran for many years.
After an initial announcement that Iran had been actively
pursuing nuclear technology in one part of the country, new
reports reveal that Iran has begun enriching uranium at a
second location, reports the Guardian. The Fordo facilities,
south of Tehran, are underground and protected from air
strikes.
According to BBC, the U.S. views this second site as
"further escalation" of its violation of U.N. resolutions. U.N.
sanctions against Iran include banning the supply of nuclear-
related materials and technology, an arms embargo and close
monitoring of all individuals and companies working with
the nuclear program.
Iran has stated the uranium enrichment is not for weapons
bur for peaceful purposes and will be used to treat cancer
patients. At 20 percent enrichment, the uranium is not
weapons grade (90 percent) but can be easily converted.
The French Foreign Ministry said to BBC that Iran's lack of
cooperation "leaves us with no other choice but to reinforce
international sanctions and to adopt, with our European
partners and all willing countries, measures of an intensity
and severity without precedent."
Sanctions and Iranian threats to close the Strait
of Hormuz
For years the international community of the U.S., EU,
and U.N. have imposed sanctions on Iran, limiting access
to nuclear weapons. With recent developments, the U.S. is
proposing many new sanctions, targeting oil sales and the
Central Bank.
"It's very much the policy of the United States to change
Iran's behavior through our sanctions and through isolation,
not to change the Iranian regime," said White House Deputy
National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes to Reuters.
Countries in the EU have also agreed to decrease import of
Iranian oil, according to Reuters.
These sanctions increase pressure on the Iranian
government, reports BBC, but as long as nations such as
China, Turkey, and India continue to buy Iran's oil and sell it
exports, the country will be able to survive.
When Senate returns to Washington later this month,
they will continue discussions on Iran's sanctions, reports
Reuters.
Iran has responded negatively to the most recent sanctions,
and according to BBC, Tehran is threatening to close the Strait
of Hormuz, an important oil access route, if sanctions widen.
Linking the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, almost 20 percent of
the world's oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz,
reports BBC.
According to an analysis by Brad Plumer in The Economist,
closing the Strait could cause an increase in global oil prices
as well as a long-lasting negative impact on the global
economy.
U.K. and U.S. forces would stop the closure, said U.S.
Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond to BBC. U.S. naval
forces are stationed nearby, but Iran has told the U.S. to keep
their aircraft carriers out of the Strait.
With a number of threats and sanctions up in the air
at the moment, the next few months could have serious
implications for all sides involved.