MNeagle
4th June 2010, 08:18 AM
Major Intrigue In North Korea, As Key Leader Is Found Dead Before Possible Power Handoff
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korean-eminence-grise-found-dead-in-growing-signs-of-internal-power-struggle-2010-6#ixzz0ptiqqxW5
A behind-the-scenes powerlord in North Korea was found dead Wednesday night in an apparent car crash.
The death of 80-year-old Ri Je-gang sets off major alarms after the recent ouster of many senior North Korean officials. Chosun Ilbo suggests these are signs of a major power struggle:
[E]xperts say the timing of his death is peculiar, coming as it did hard on the heels of the dismissal on May 14 of Kim Il-chol, the minister of the people's armed forces, for reasons of old age, also at the age of 80. Ri Yong-chol (81), another senior deputy director of the Organization and Guidance Department who had supported Ko Young-hee alongside Ri Je-gang, died of a reported heart attack in April.
A North Korean source said, "In the 1970s, Kim Chang-bong, the then minister of national defense, died in a car accident after he opposed Kim Jong-il's succession to power. We suspect that Ri's death was also related to an internal power struggle, although there is no evidence yet to support the speculation."
We may get a clearer picture of what's going on soon, with Kim Jong-il holding an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly on June 7. Will Kim announce succession plans? Was the sinking of the Cheonan the last hurrah of a retiring man?
Don't miss: How North Korean Artillery Could Level Seoul In Two Hours
http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4c0908087f8b9aa51ba00100-347-260/ri-je-gang.jpg
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korean-eminence-grise-found-dead-in-growing-signs-of-internal-power-struggle-2010-6#ixzz0ptiqqxW5
A behind-the-scenes powerlord in North Korea was found dead Wednesday night in an apparent car crash.
The death of 80-year-old Ri Je-gang sets off major alarms after the recent ouster of many senior North Korean officials. Chosun Ilbo suggests these are signs of a major power struggle:
[E]xperts say the timing of his death is peculiar, coming as it did hard on the heels of the dismissal on May 14 of Kim Il-chol, the minister of the people's armed forces, for reasons of old age, also at the age of 80. Ri Yong-chol (81), another senior deputy director of the Organization and Guidance Department who had supported Ko Young-hee alongside Ri Je-gang, died of a reported heart attack in April.
A North Korean source said, "In the 1970s, Kim Chang-bong, the then minister of national defense, died in a car accident after he opposed Kim Jong-il's succession to power. We suspect that Ri's death was also related to an internal power struggle, although there is no evidence yet to support the speculation."
We may get a clearer picture of what's going on soon, with Kim Jong-il holding an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly on June 7. Will Kim announce succession plans? Was the sinking of the Cheonan the last hurrah of a retiring man?
Don't miss: How North Korean Artillery Could Level Seoul In Two Hours
http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4c0908087f8b9aa51ba00100-347-260/ri-je-gang.jpg