Mad Kim & Da Funky 5...
Posted on 10/27/2003, 5:59:22 PM by Pubbie
One of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's closest aides has died in a car accident, state media announced on Monday, following weeks of rumours and conspiracy theories about the secretive country's leadership.
Kim Yong-sun, a top adviser on foreign policy and relations with South Korea, failed to recover from brain injuries caused by the accident in June, according to the state news agency.
Rumours of the crash had swirled for weeks in Seoul's diplomatic community, while the health of both Kim Jong-il and his wife has also been the subject of speculation.
Kim Jong-il - known as the Dear Leader - quelled some of the gossip last week when he made his first public appearance for 40 days, according to state media.
Interest in the North Korean leadership has intensified since the country became embroiled last year in a dispute with the US about its nuclear weapons programme. But the recent spate of rumours has highlighted how little firm information is known about the people who wield power in the "Hermit Kingdom".
"There is no single person who knows everything about North Korea but there are lots of people who know a little, such as intelligence agents, diplomats and traders. The challenge is for us to gather together all those pieces of the jigsaw," said Woo Seong-ji, analyst at the institute of foreign affairs and national security in Seoul.
Mr Kim's car crash fuelled conspiracy theories because there are so few vehicles on the road in poverty-stricken North Korea, making collisions unlikely.
However, diplomats said road accidents were not unusual in the communist state because road surfaces were poor, drunk-driving was widespread and the lack of traffic meant those with cars could drive dangerously fast.
Visitors to Pyongyang are often surprised to see luxury cars, such as BMWs and Mercedes, in the streets - driven by senior military and Workers' party officials - despite North Korea being one of the world's poorest countries.
Mr Kim was once one of Kim Jong-il's most trusted aides but Pyongyang-watchers said his role had diminished recently and he was rumoured to be involved in secret plotting to determine North Korea's next leader.
North Korea has the world's only communist dynasty, with Kim Jong-il having inherited power from his father, Kim Il-sung. One of Kim Jong-il's three sons is expected to take power when their 61-year-old father dies - provided the regime survives that long - and analysts believe a power struggle is under way between the trio.
Kim Jong-nam, the oldest son from his father's first marriage, was once considered the natural successor but his star has fallen since he was expelled from Japan in 2001, having attempted to visit Tokyo Disneyland using a forged Dominican Republic passport.
Recent propaganda promoting Kim Jong-il's Japanese-born second wife, who he met when she was in a state dance troupe, has been viewed as an attempt to legitimise one of their two sons as successor. However, she is reported to have fallen seriously ill in recent weeks.
Correction, phrase should read:
"failed to recover from brain injuries which caused the accident in June".
Powder burns at the back of the head. Suicide.
Mad Kim & Da Funky 5...
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