Slide 5 of 21
Notes:
FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF KIM IL-SUNG, KIM JONG-IL TRANSITIONED SMOOTHLY IN REPLACING HIS FATHER AS LEADER OF NORTH KOREA. HOWEVER, THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT HE DOES NOT ENJOY UNLATERAL SUPPORT AMONG SENIOR MILITARY LEADERS. HE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN HEAD-OF-STATE TREATMENT BY THE PRC SINCE BEING NAMED AS SUCCESSOR TO KIM IL-SUNG.
HE IS KNOWN BY THE NORTH KOREAN PEOPLE AS “DEAR LEADER”. HE IS THE SON AND DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR TO KIM IL-SUNG. HE LIVES A LIFESTYLE OF LUXURY, WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION STRUGGLES TO LIVE DAY TO DAY. IN CONTRAST TO HIS FATHER, HE HAS YET TO EARN THE RESPECT OF THE NORTH KOREAN PEOPLE. HE HAS BOTH AN ARROGANT DEMEANOR AND A RECKLESS, ERRACTIC TEMPERMENT. THERE ARE EVEN DEFECTOR REPORTS OF HIM GVING HIS OFFICERS THE AUTHORITY TO SHOOT ENLISTED ON THE SPOT FOR DISCPLINE REASONS.
HOWEVER, HE MAINTAINS COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY.
