North Korea has never publicised who would follow leader Kim Jong Un in the event he is incapacitated, and with no details known about his young children, analysts say his sister and loyalists could form a regency until a successor is old enough to take over.
FILE PHOTO: Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/Pool/File Photo
Each change of leadership in North Korea has raised the prospect of a leadership vacuum or collapse of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled the country since its founding in 1948. She was named an alternate member of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful Central Committee Politburo earlier this month, continuing her climb through the leadership hierarchy.
It capped decades of service with the party for the ruling Kim family, previously serving as the influential political head of the North’s military under the young leader. He is believed to be disinterested in public life and is unlikely to emerge as a major presence, though some analysts say he maintains ties with siblings and could play a more public role in a contingency.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Meet Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s Sister—And Possible Successor In North Korea
Read more »
China sends doctors to North Korea as TV report fuels speculation about Kim Jong Un's healthChina has sent a team of doctors to North Korea to help determine Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un's health status, Reuters reported on Friday. Hong Kong state media reported that Kim was dead, though there has been no confirmation from U.S. sources at this point.
Read more »
Despite Kim Jong Un's absence, military activity suggests nothing amiss in North Korea, U.S. intelligence saysNorth Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un missed another national holiday, fueling rumors and reports of his health. But U.S. intelligence still sees no sign of him losing power.
Read more »
N. Korea Dictator Kim Jong-un Reportedly Dead After Botched Heart SurgeryKim Jong-un is reportedly about to kick the bucket, or already has.
Read more »
Trump thinks report was incorrect on illness of North Korea's Kim Jong UnU.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threw more cold water on reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was gravely ill, but declined to say if he had been in touch with officials there.
Read more »