DPRK: transition time

The DPRK, better known as North Korea, is a nation which, in the name of Juche Idea (the official state ideology, usually translated in “self-reliance”) has isolated itself from the rest of the world and indeed is one of the most difficult to access for foreigners. 

Established in 1948, with the 38th parallel chosen as a demarcation line with South Korea, with the “Grate Leader” Kim Il-sung at the helm is now run by his son Kim Jong-il who is reported to be severely ill and has just chosen his successor, his son Kim Jong-un. 

Transition of power is always a big issue in non-democratic regimes. In fact, Kim Jong-il was seen alongside his father for 14 years and the succession between the two appeared natural to the people. The main question for the future of the Kim regime is how the North Koreans will accept as a leader a young boy of whom they ignored the name and the face until these days. 

Published in L'espresso and Private