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Reuters
North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-un cries as his father, North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-il, lies in state during the run-up to his funeral in Pyongyang in this Dec. 27, 2011, still image taken from video.
This is the most emotion I have seen Kim Jong Un show since the death of his father, former North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il. I wonder what is going through the new young leader's mind? Surely, he is grieving over the loss of his father, but the "great successor" has also inherited major responsibilities as the new leader of an impoverished country, and with only a few years of experience in politics. According to the Guardian, little is known about Kim Jong Un. He is believed to be in his late 20s, and his father spent the past year grooming him for this role.
See more photos from North Korea on PhotoBlog.
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Kcna / Reuters
Lee Hee-ho, widow of former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, shakes hands with new North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after she paid her respect to North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-il lying in state in Pyongyang in this still image taken from video broadcasted on Dec. 27, 2011. Lee Hee-ho whose husband drew up a now-abandoned policy of engagement with the North led a delegation across the border on Monday. The South Korean group laid wreaths at the mausoleum where Kim Jong-il's body is on display. North Korean media said the footage is said to have been shot on Dec. 26th and was released by state broadcaster KRT the next day.
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So, not versed in the political chain of command under a dictatorship; the little bastard, Kim Young-un gets to inherit his daddy's empire?
Wonder why he is crying? Did daddy forget to tell him where the password is to the Swiss bank/vault combination/safety deposit box key? Obviously a much poorer clone copy of the illustrious grand leader of the Democracy of North Korea!
The loss of a parent is painful event. I imagine the weight of the duties that are now upon his shoulders is starting to sink in, too. I hope he takes N. Korea in a different and better direction.
It's almost freaky when you read a thoughtful comment here.
I think the only thing freaky is wishful thinking and fantasy. Have you ever seen gang leaders put down their weapons voluntarily in real life? Even in movies, those people got killed instantly by their associates the minute they wanted out. What make you think the fat boy will and/or able to do it? He can't even control his own weight?
My Dad is Dieing as I type this... You can be the hardest person in the world, still dosen't prepare you for the death of your Dad... I feel bad for Him in that respect... Hope that THEY let Him turn N.Korea around... But I doubt that THEY will... He is going to be a puppet! While the Goverment runs the country the same. I'm sure that Kim IL left directions... All we can do is wait and see... Lets hope they don't get Missile happy or Want to show there strength in the region. Could end up being a big mess for the US, if we have to protect S.Korea... Do you think China would like us fighting that close to them? I don't think so...
When the grandfather died, those who didn't show appropriate grief were "punished" by the government, a sick combination of theocracy (Kim Jong Il was declared divine and the reincarnation of his father - WTF) and dictatorial fascism. Maybe Totalitarianism, choose your definition. Even though his grief may be sincere, the integrity of his father was nil and the security of North Korea is a very bad joke.
Up until the final hour, none of the kids can be sure who will succeed in line. History shows that people kill their parents and siblings in order to secure their succession or preventing early succession crafted by political opponents for political puppet-ing. The little Jong ILL lived away from home far more than he was spending time with Jong ILL (which might be a good thing for him else he might accidentally pissed the madman off). So I can safely conclude that the kid is crying for joy because he got the job early.
Kim Jong-Un grieves honestly for his dad; I find the emotion itself sad. Kim Jong-Un should soon present a more stoic face if he wants to survive the machinations of power at the top of an out-of-control North Korea.
Yea! Evil man is dead!! Look how awesome South Korea is. They live in freedom and give the world great things like TVs, Android phones, and good cars. North Korea gives nothing to the world but poverty and a head ach. This man is responsible for ALL of that.
Screw that pint sized mass murderer and his fat ass kid!
Has anybody seen smuggled photos of little children (and adults) with arms and legs as thin as pretzles, toiling in the fields? . . . how about a visit to the numerous government concentration camps where North Koreans -- who did absolutely nothing wrong than being related to someone who did -- exist? . . . the atrocities are endless.
GOOD RIDDANCE to that evil, well-fed, drug-dealing S.O.B. of a father . . . let's see if little (also fat) Un can rival his old man when it comes to treating people like sh**! . . . I've no doubt he can. In this case the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree . . . this little creep may even be worse!
If I remember correctly there was another brother who was in line to rule, however he made comments while Swiss school that the Party needed to open up to the West and change things as he has seen the difference while in school out of the country. He was out of favor after those comments as hard liners believed that he would not carry on as Daddy would want. This was in news 2 YEARS ago.
I feel bad for Kim Jong Un. I didn't like Kim Jong Il either, but that was his dad. I lost my mom receintlyand let me tell you it hurts. I just hope he takes his country in another direction and helps his people.
"I'll give you soemthing to cry about!"
Kim Jong-Il was an evil, horrible man. I think we can all agree on that, but he was also a father. What you see in the picture above is a young man, not even 30 yet, who has lost his daddy, his hero. That is incredibly painful, whether you are 28 or 58. In addition, he has just inherited the responsibilities of running an entire nation with virtually no international support, that must also weigh heavily on his mind. The question will become, does he follow in his father's footsteps, or does he rely on what he learned during his Western education, and try to change things around? There is no answer, except wait and see.
If only his grief could pave the way for humanity.
i do not feel sorry for anyone who stare's his people..may he rot in hell.
2011 has been an awsome year for getting rid of the slime of the earth. If we just could have lost Rush Limbaugh it would be a great year !
It will be, Like father like son deal. Sad but possibly true; We have to wait and see what happens. The mourning after.