(Curiously this was on the front page with 5 points (!) by the time I found it.)
For a few minutes, there was only a line of text at the top of the NYT home page. It took them some time to put up an article.
Hopefully this is the beginning of North Korea opening a dialog with the rest of the world. His air designate, his 3rd son is western educated. Hopefully everyone on the
Korean peninsular can look forward to a safer brighter future.
We've educated many dictators and even more of their lackeys and family members. US-educated means very little in these situations.
Certainly, but with a more balanced perspective available to his son (who may or may not succeed in any case) isn't it more likely than would be otherwise that he will proceed with reforms that see a lessening of tensions and bring about a true peace on the peninsular?
IIRC the NK first family isn't US educated but rather Swiss.
Hmmm, this year has not been kind to eccentric dictators.
True, though eccentric is far too kind a word.
I wish I could say that public announcement of his death would lead to better lives for all North Koreans but sadly that isn't the case.
Why not? Certainly there are a large number of historical counter examples to that statement. The old guard dying off leaving more progressive elements in the leadership to bring on reforms in a country. The death of Mao in China and the trial of the Gang of Four marking the end of the Cultural Revolution. The death of Franco in Spain and the transition to a constitutional monarchy.
The son will clearly not be able to retain power, so now it's a question of whether they get a military dictatorship or the system implodes and they get a chance to start anew.
"clearly"? Please elaborate, I have heard speculation in both directions since he was announced as the successor (last year? year before?).