Kim Jong Nam has sparked international interest over the last week with his surprising remark on the 11th opposing his country’s three-generation spanning dynastic rule and a further article asserting that he had raised objections to the sinking of the Cheonan directly with his father.
In the first case, Kim gave an interview to TV Asahi in which he said he “personally objects” to the third generation succession, and called his country “North Korea,” not “North Chosun” or “The Republic.” “North Korea” is a term almost exclusively used by outsiders.
This was a shock for some, as it was seen as a deviation from his normal reluctance to address North Korea’s internal affairs, and a direct act of defiance on the sensitive issue of determining the country’s successor. Some even say that a “war of the princes” has started with the emergence of a group riding a wave of criticism of Kim Jong Eun’s rise to power.
One of Kim Jong Nam’s aides, explaining the second story in an interview with KBS, said, “Kim Jong Eun instigated the Cheonan incident in order to recover from the botched currency reform,” and added, “Jong Nam took issue with this”.
This means that Kim Jong Nam directly criticized his younger brother’s failings to Kim Jong Il.
With a string of revealing stories related to Kim Jong Nam suddenly making their way to the press, his intentions are coming under scrutiny.
Considering the secretive nature of North Korean society, Kim Jong Nam’s public actions are all the more worthy of attention. As North Korea accelerates towards the coronation of Kim Jong Eun amid reports outlining the difficulties that his regime is likely to face, attention now seems to be building around Kim Jong Nam.
Kim Jong Nam’s recent string of actions suggest that he may be seeking to secure his reputation in between China and South Korea. As Lee Chun Geun, an adjunct professor at Ewha Womans University, told the Daily NK in an interview on this, “There is a strong element of trying to showcase his presence to China and the international community at large.”
Lee went on to say, “Press reports that make it seem as if Kim Jong Nam has no interest in power are false. How can he not be interested? He will likely have a large following, as he was regarded as the heir to Kim Jong Il for a long time.”
He added, “Here he is telling the press that he is westernized and understands the market economy well, and is the right person for North Korean perestroika. Basically, he is showing off his eligibility to be North Korea’s successor to China and the entire world.”
“China will keep Kim Jong Nam in its sights as a leadership alternative, should there be a revolutionary crisis in North Korea,” Lee went on. “The fact that Asahi conducted the interview with him in Beijing shows that he feels fearful for his safety amidst a power struggle with Kim Jung Eun, and that he had to move from Macao to Beijing to secure protection.”
There also exists an alternative view that disregards much of Kim Jong Nam’s recent actions, citing the clarity of Kim Jong Eun’s path to supreme leadership and Kim Jong Nam’s ‘social restrictions’ stemming from his being born to Kim Jong Il’s first wife, Sung Hye Rim.
Cheong Seong Chang, a North Korea expert at the Sejong Institute, said, “Kim Jong Nam is not in a position to talk about North Korea’s succession regime, whether or not he is for or against it. Currently, he can only hear news of his father through Jang Sung Taek.”
Cheong also said that Kim Jong Nam was a sort of “prince” who never received official recognition from within the country, and who has a weak standing and following due to spending too much time abroad and having never occupied a senior post in the Party. He views the recent comments as simply those of an individual who is totally isolated from the power structure.
He also added, “Kim Jong Nam said that while he did oppose the handing down of power, he was ready to help his brother in time of need. This means that he was opposed to the succession in principle, but will accept the reality. Therefore his remarks about being against the idea of succession are likely to merely reflect his personal feelings.”
“While the fact that he addressed North Korea in the manner that is commonly employed by foreigners is gaining attention, Kim Jong Nam has always referred to North Korea in that manner. It is actually quire natural, considering his extensive stays abroad,” Cheong added, dismissing the last particular point of interest in South Korea.
