“It’s just my personal opinion, but I think the best way is reform and opening so that the North Korean people can live comfortably. However, considering North Korea’s special nature, reform and opening contains concerns about systemic collapse,” according to Kim Jong Nam, first son of Kim Jong Il.
Giving a follow-up interview to Tokyo Shimbun on the 2nd, following one released on the 28th of last month, Kim, stressing familiar themes, continued, “The better thing would be normalization of relations with the U.S. and a peace policy on the Korean Peninsula, after which a way to revitalize the economy could be established. However, now, confronting the U.S. and South Korea, it is difficult to have hope for reform and opening.”
Reiterating his hopes for the successor, Kim added carefully, “I want him to deal with inter-Korean relations well, so that things like the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island do not occur again (and) to govern well in the North in order to contribute to peace in Northeast Asia.”
Speaking of the successor, Kim also mused, “He seems to have strong loyalty and be devoted to our father,” therefore, “I believe father chose him. Everybody lacks experience at first. He can accumulate experience.”
The succession, Kim added, has never been discussed with him, saying, “Since I am someone who has no relationship with politics, there was no need to talk about. I accept that naturally.”
Continuing to talk about Kim Jong Eun, he went on, “I hope he will allow the people to live in affluence. I want to believe that father selected him as the successor at such a young age because he has that ability. I want him to become a leader that is respected by the people.”
With respect to those who are against the succession, he said, “In any system there are opposition powers. The question is whether the opposition powers are a majority or minority,” and added, “I think that even though it is the third generation, if the results are good and he works hard for the people’s better lives, opposition will be reduced.”
