KIM GONE-UN?
Who would succeed Kim Jong-un and lead North Korea if the dictator dies?
SPECULATION over North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s health has continues to spread with reports from South Korea now suggesting he is likely to be dead.
A North Korean defector, now MP for South Korea, has revealed that he is 99% certain the Supreme Leader has died and expects an announcement this weekend - leaving questions over who will succeed Kim.
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What is the state of Kim Jong-un's health?
The North Korean tyrant is said to be in fragile health after botched heart surgery, reigniting discussion over who would take over if he died.
Disputed reports reveal that the dictator could now be in a vegetative state.
Kim has one sister, Kim Yo-jong, 31, who already has a lot of influence in the secretive state, but analysts say military officials could also take charge.
The speculation started after Jong-un didn’t show up at events to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of North Korea’s founding father – and his grandfather – Kim Il-sung on April 15.
The Daily NK, a South Korean newspaper, reported the dictator was recovering after surgery on April 12.
The newspaper also said the health of Kim, who is thought to be 37 or 38, has collapsed since the summer because of obesity and smoking.
But, North Korea defector Ji-Seong ho told Yonhap News Agency: "It is not 100 percent certain, but I can say the possibility is 99 percent.
North Korea is believed to be grappling with a complicated succession issue."
Who would take over if Kim Jong-un dies?
Younger sister Kim Yo-Jong
Kim Jong-un’s younger sister is seen as one of his closest advisers, and was recently elevated to North Korea’s ruling body, the politburo.
Kim Yo-jong has been seen at the leader’s side during international summits, and travelled to South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
She studied alongside her brother in Switzerland between 1996 and 2000. It is believed she then went on to further education at the Kim Il-sung Military University.
She is married to Choe Song, the son of top North Korean politician Choe Ryong-hae, and has at least one child, born in May 2015.
In a sign of what her leadership could be like, she made a rare public statement in March 2020 calling South Korea a “frightened barking dog.”
Referring to South Korea’s criticism of the North’s weapons testing, it was the first time the dictator’s sister had issued a statement in her name.
Despite the power she wields, however, it remains to be seen whether, as a woman, she would be allowed to take the top job.
Powerful officials
There is also a small group of officials who could take the reins from Kim.
One is Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, 70, who was promoted to president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly in 2019 – meaning he is technically the country’s head of state.
The senior official has served in North Korea’s ruling party for decades, and in 2019, was sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses.
Another elite official is Pak Pong-ju, who is a member of the politburo like Kim’s sister.
He used to be North Korea’s head of state, and tried to revive the country’s economy by opening up its market.
Mr Pak became premier for the first time in 2004 under Kim's father, Kim Jong-il, and for the second time in 2013.
He currently serves as the vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
MORE ON KIM JONG-UN
Finally, Kim Yong Chol, a vice chairman of the ruling party, has international connections and would likely be a more measured leader.
He previously worked as North Korea’s intelligence chief, and lead the denuclearisation talks with the United States.
In May 2018, he flew to New York for talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about stopping nuclear testing in the country, and also travelled to the White House for talks with President Trump.
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