[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #6

Or he was canned inside his bunker by others. There are certainly more than one scenario. However, all of recent news, including the removal of his portraits, are deeply troubling development for Kim Jong-il.

[AnAmericanMother]

Removing portraits?

Uh-oh (for him). "He's dead, Kim."

I wonder if that huge train explosion was an assassination attempt, and if the persons responsible tried again more successfully.

I lived in Haiti for awhile when Papa Doc was riding high. Even after he died nobody took his portraits down until they were SURE he was dead . . .

[JasonC]

Bush told China to clean up NK or we will. China called it bluster and hoped Kerry would win. After winning, perhaps Bush made it plain once again, that is the choice they face. Nobody doubts anymore than the man means what he says. So, perhaps China has told NK generals Kim is a liability, and they are taking charge there. All seems plausible anyway, and would be an excellent development. Obviously we don't yet know what is really happening.