Taegumin "Will the Kim Yo-jong Regime Last Long in Emergencies? The Variable is Kim Pyong-il"

Unusual Silence Despite Need to Confirm Kim Jong-un's Health
Succession Preparation Is Natural... Attention Needed on Kim Pyong-il

On the 16th, Tae Gumin (Tae Youngho), a candidate from the United Future Party running in Gangnam-gap, Seoul, is shedding tears after his victory was confirmed at the Gangnam-gu election office. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Tae Gumin (Tae Young-ho), a defector and the elected member of the Future United Party for Seoul Gangnam Gap, said on the 23rd that it is natural for North Korea to prepare a succession system, but there could be variables regarding Kim Yo-jong, the first deputy director of the Workers' Party.

In an interview on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs,' Tae said, "Only a very small number of people truly know about the health of North Korea's supreme dignity, Kim Jong-un," adding, "The health of the Kim family is a top-level secret, so speculating on what kind of surgery he might have undergone is just conjecture."

He continued, "Kim Jong-un did not appear on April 15, Kim Il-sung's birthday. This is something that should not happen in the North Korean system, and curiosity is spreading like wildfire in North Korea right now," adding, "Various speculations are rampant, but it is unusual that North Korea is still remaining silent."

Regarding the 'Pyongyang lockdown theory' raised by some, he said, "According to a report by the U.S. North Korea specialist media NK News yesterday, recent hoarding phenomena have been detected in North Korea's foreign currency stores," adding, "It is difficult to confirm whether this is due to a complete lockdown or because they expect the North Korea-China border to be controlled due to COVID-19, so they are trying to stock up on necessary goods."

On reports that Kim Yo-jong, the first deputy director of the Workers' Party, will become the successor, he explained, "It is clear that Kim Jong-un is not healthy. Until now, North Korea has always prepared a succession structure whenever abnormalities in the health of the supreme leader were detected," adding, "Kim Yo-jong was appointed as an official candidate member of the Political Bureau, and there was a statement issued in her name even in inter-Korean relations where such statements should not be made. It is natural that they are internally preparing a succession system."

Tae said, "Even if Kim Jong-un falls into a coma or dies, it will not immediately lead to internal chaos in North Korea," adding, "North Korean residents are accustomed to following orders from above. The variable is the forces supporting below."

He added, "They are now in their 60s and 70s. To them, Kim Yo-jong is a youngster," emphasizing, "They will surely consider whether to replace her. What must not be overlooked is the existence of Kim Pyong-il."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.