In my previous article, “Is America Happy With Downfall of Longtime Dictators?”, I have written America had at least, a sigh of relief, knowing the despotic leadership of Saddam, Khadaffy and others has finally come to an end. But the latest headlines which broke the news of Kim Jong Il’s sudden death is something to worry about.
A reclusive leader who ruled North Korea for 17 years, made friends only with China, his neighbor in Asia. Kim Jong Il’s life is shrouded in mystery, only appearing on military anniversary parades and special functions of the government.
The US who have supported North Korea’s sworn enemy, South Korea, have reiterated their call for a “Path of Peace”, channeled through the United Nations and diplomatic representations with China and Japan. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, makes sure that the North does not play with nukes in their arsenal.
Kim Jong Un, the heir apparent to his throne, is perceived to be a copy of his father, not just in looks, but also in thinking. The son, who is said to be in his late twenty’s, stood beside his father during a military parade celebration, proudly wearing an identical clothing, a sign of power in North Korea. Kim Jong Un is said to have been briefly educated in Switzerland, who assumed a fake identity.
South Korea, upon learning of the older Kim’s death, put the military and government workers in full alert, looking for any signs of trouble from the neighboring North.
Washington’s think-tank on the other hand is weary that any provocation from the North again would put the Korean Peninsula in a brink of war. The bully tactics of Kim Jong Il when he was still alive might mirror the perceived action of the new leader. Not much is known about the younger Kim who was promoted to the rank of General and groomed for the highest position, long before the death of his father.
Analysts have suggested a quick channeling of diplomatic effort to reach North Korea. Perceptions of same behavior, armed provocation and military strikes coming from the North is still high in US agenda.
It would be recalled that North Korea made a plea to the US for food aid, before the news of Kim Jong Il’s death reached the whole world, which Obama approved. This humanitarian gesture to the hungry people of the North is lauded by many leaders of the free world.
International leaders should join hands in reaching out for North Korea to insure that no untoward incident would happen again in the Korean Peninsula. The previous incident where a South Korean military vessel was torpedoed at sea that killed all its personnel, drew world condemnation. The South Korean military could have ordered a strike at any time, thanks to US quick intervention. It is a common knowledge that North Korea has nuclear capability of hitting Seoul and Tokyo, even as far as the US mainland.
Will North Korea ever shift to a friendly tone now that Kim Jong Il is dead? Will North Korea bully its neighbors again? Everything remains to be seen.
Whenever North Korea wants attention, he surely gets one.