By Pramod Sedhain.
The unpredictable development of the North Korean politic has not only shocked the world but has made its motive clear. Kim Jong Un is now the only most powerful person in North Korea after the execution of his own Uncle Jang Song-Thaek. The North Korean young leader has sent a message to the ruling party and the military disloyal to him. Once the second-most powerful North Korean Leader Jang Song-thaek was executed for a string of alleged crimes, accused of factionalism, corruption, drugs, gambling and ‘dreaming different dreams’. He was also branded as a “traitor”.
It is a rare move to North Korea’s communist ruling history and humiliation of its own dynastic blood relation family member. The latest dramatic move is a sign of power struggle in one of the most isolated countries. Purged from the country’s second-most influential figure after Kim Jong Un show the rift between the party, military and Government rival faction. Jang had emerged as the most influential figure in North Korea after Kim’s father’s death in December 2011. Jang held several topmost positions as the country’s National Defense Commission Vice-Chairman, head of the Administrative Department, Politburo Standing Committee member, and the Chairman of the State Sports Guidance Commission.
His last public appearance with Kim Jong-un was during the 68th celebrating event of the Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10 wearing military general’s dress. In November 2013, Jang was characterized as Chairman of Sports Commission. After keeping out of the public eye, North Korean watcher suspected his future fate and power. Earlier disclosed by the North Korean media, the South Korean National Intelligence Service reported in a closed-door parliamentary session, Jang was removed from his positions while his closest two confidants were executed last month.
Young Kim’s power base giant military influence and retaining the support of the military Kim has consolidated his own power and most of the alternative rival faction has been sidelined. The North’s media described Jang’s execution saying that Jang had been plotting to overthrow Kim Jong Un and had “a fantastic dream to become premier… to grab the supreme power of the party and state”.
North Korean media termed Jang a “traitor to the nation for all ages” and “worse than a dog.” There is a possible sign of internal power struggle between party and military but Kim Jong Un is powerful within the North’s 1.2 million army and his Leadership seems to stable and not see immediate collapse. Yong Kim’s two years in power has bolstered his own power in the army and has a full control of the country power base. There are no signs of instability at present. Around one hundred core powerful North Korean ruling workers party leaders’ state influence power is zero.
Kim has demonstrated his grip on power to mark the second anniversary of the death of his father. The Military Chief urged the troops to protect Kim Jong-Un “at the cost of their lives” and become “human bullets and bombs” for him. On the occasion of the second anniversary of the country’s former leader and current leader’s father Kim Jong-il’s death, thousands of North Korean publicly pledged their loyalty and allegiance to Kim Jong-un. North Korean Army Chief, Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae said, “It will always remain the army of Kim Jong Un defending him unto death and upholding his leadership only”. The most trusted and confidant adviser to young leader Kim Jong Un, Choe addressed a gathering of soldiers after the dramatic purge of Kim powerful uncle stressing the army’s ceremony “our supreme commander under any storms and hardships”. The powerful military figure also indicated the latest high profile purging and execution and said “maneuvering of betrayers” North Korean troops, undeterred by “strong winds” to defend the young leader despite the to death .
on the marks anniversary opening , Country’s ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-Nam, said “We should be warriors to safeguard the party centre with our lives… with the conviction that we know no-one but the great comrade Kim Jong-Un,”. This is fresh political and militray fresh public pledged their full loyalty to the young leader.
This dramatic event is not a sign of collapse of the regime. Over the past two decades, many analysts made predictions of imminent collapse that have proved to be wrong and the current scenario and situation is a similar one. In 1997, the US intelligence agency CIA determined that North Korea was likely to collapse within the next five years. Analysts and scholars have failed to predict the North Korean developments. Inside North Korea, there is no possible threat to the young leader. Country’s powerful military is the protector of the regime. Global communism collapsed in the1990s. However, despite all odds, including power transition, worst famine, economic crisis, natural disaster and other difficulties, North Korean regime is stable and the ruler is unquestionable. Currently, there is no existential regime crises either high-risk but China-style liberalization and transformation is possible.
North Korea’s key ally and main economic backer China has helped sustain Kim Jong-un’s regime and economic reform encouragement. North Korea’s relations with China might not affect after Jang’s ouster and execution. China’s economic reform hope is still possible and there can be no signal to policy change. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said that “China will stay committed to promoting its traditional, friendly and cooperative relationship with the DPRK.” Despite the harsh international economic sanctions, China continues meaningful economic assistance and support North Korea to avoiding regime collapse. China cannot take action against North Korea. It has signed a treaty with North Korea which declares the two nations guaranteeing to adopt immediately all necessary measures to oppose any country or coalition of countries that might attack either nation.
