Kim Jong-un's successor: From 'ruthless tyrant' to 'skilled manipulator', here's the list of possible candidates
Following unconfirmed reports that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un had a heart surgery, reports are now claiming that he is, in fact, dead. Among those rumored to succeed Kim Jong-Un is his sister Kim Yo-Jong, but there are more contenders for the position, according to experts.
CNN first reported that Kim Jong-un is in "grave danger" following a heart surgery according to a US official who also said that the United States is closely monitoring the situation. A later report from a Japanese magazine stated that the North Korean leader was in a "vegetative state". Further unconfirmed reports emerged that Kim Jong-Un had died this week.
The most obvious candidate to succeed Kim Jong-un is his sister Kim Yo-Jong. If she does so, she would be the first female leader of North Korea, while keeping the position in the family. The country was founded by Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il-sung.
However, according to North Korea specialist Leonid Petrov, it is unlikely that this could be the case for the very simple reason that Kim Yo-Jong is a woman. Petrov told the Guardian, "North Korea is a Confucian country where seniority and masculinity are respected. She is Kim’s most trusted ally, but no more than that.”
What happens in North Korea does not just affect the region, it raises the stakes for the rest of the world, especially the United States. The person who succeeds Kim Jong-un could either ameliorate the present situation or make it more strained. So, who could replace Kim Jong-un?
Kim Yo-Jong
As mentioned, the most obvious candidate at this stage is Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-Jong. In January, she was named the first vice-department director of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Her political statement in March indicated that she had made a clear rise in the hierarchy according to analysts.
However, reports also suggest that she could be more ruthless than her brother. According to Sung Yoong Lee, an American expert on the Koreas, Yo-Jong will have to show her mettle by provoking the US with major weapons tests and lethal attacks on South Korea and US forces stationed there.
Choe Ryong Hae
Another potential candidate to take over as the leader for North Korea is Choe Ryong Hae, the Chairman of the Organization and Guidance Department. Ryong Hae is also rumored to be Yo-Jong's father-in-law and he is liked and trusted by Jong-Un. As the President of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, he is the constitutional head of state.
However, while Ryong Hae has been trusted with important missions, he is unpopular with the military. According to reports, Ryong Hae appointed members from the Socialist Youth League to key military posts and assumed control of various businesses run by the military, losing trust and loyalty among the troops.
Ri Son Gwon
Kim Jong-un's former right hand man Ri Son Gwon was named the new Foreign Minister of North Korea earlier this year. Ri had previously headed a government body responsible for relations with South Korea and has taken part in numerous inter-Korean talks over the past 15 years. However, he lacks experience in negotiations with the US.
Kim Yong Chol
One prominent choice to be the next North Korean leader would be Kim Yong Chol, the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea for South Korean affairs and head of the United Front Department.
Yong Chol has been called a "skillful manipulator and the master North Korean hard-liner", and led the country's international diplomatic efforts. In 2018, Yong Chol was flown to the United States to discuss the 2018 North Korea-United States Summit with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump.
Pak Pong Ju
One of the high-level politburo members who has had an influential role as a part of Kim Jong-un's cabinet is Pak Pong Ju, who served as Premier of North Korea from 2004 until 2007, and again from 2013 till 2019.
Pak oversaw the country's push to more free-market functions while in charge of developing the economy.