Should Kim Jong-un return to the negotiation table?

Should Chairman Kim exit early, there may be an opportunity to return to the negotiating table, especially given the North’s precarious situation–one that is likely to deteriorate even further over the near to medium term, writes Jim Walsh in a recent article for The National Interest . What would happen if Kim Jong-un died suddenly?

What happened to US-DPRK relations after Kim Jong-in’s death?

When Kim Jong-in died in 2011, the state of US-DPRK relations was less congenial. Early in Obama’s first term, the US president “extended his hand” to the North.

Why doesn’t the US want Kim Jong un’s sister to replace him?

Because North Korea is such a black-hole in terms of human intelligence, the U.S. intelligence community wouldn’t be able to confidently assess that the man or woman (Kim’s sister, for instance) who replaces Kim wouldn’t be just as vicious or unpredictable.

Will North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s succession affect his life expectancy?

And if the current North Korean leader were to live a long life, being viewed as a likely successor might not enhance one’s life expectancy, as was the case for Kim’s half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, who was assassinated in Malaysia in 2017.

What happens if you disrespect Kim Jong un’s family?

Anything that disrespects the family of Kim Jong Un, the North Korean government or the politicians is considered an act of blasphemy and may be met with severe punishment. In January, it was reported that a mother faced jail for trying to save her children instead of former President Kim Il-sung’s portrait in an inferno.

Can Kim Jong un and Kim II-sung walk down the aisle?

Walking down the aisle is not permitted on any the birthdays of Kim Jong Un and Kim II-sung. Military service is compulsory for men (10 years) and women (seven years.) Mothers are not allowed to give birth if anyone is around and must go into labour alone. They are not allowed to meet their family or even husband for a week after giving birth.

Is Kim Yo-jong a potential successor to Kim Jong-un?

Recently there has been much speculation about Chairman Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, as a possible successor. U.S. officials who have met with the Kims have described a particularly close (but hierarchical) relationship, even in the face of speculation that she has occasionally fallen out of favor.