North Korea’s succession: Kim Jong-un faces tough strategic decisions

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un looks at a large map with Ri Yong Ho vice marshal of the Korean People's Army (KPA) and Peoples Armed Forces Minister Kim Yong Chun during a visit to the Command of Large Combined Unit 324 (Photo: AAP)

Author: Steven Kim, APCSS

The death of Kim Jong-il, though not entirely unexpected given the state of his health following a debilitating stroke in August 2008, has had a powerful psychological impact both domestically and globally.

His death leaves a huge vacuum not only in the North Korean psyche, but in the system that he embodied. Read more…