North Korea Leadership?

Supercharts · 17th February 2003, 10:09 AM

I have a question.
Who or What rules in North Korea. Is the present "Dear Leader" really the Leader or is there a council behind him that really has the power?

Goshawk · 17th February 2003, 08:59 PM

According to the CIA Fact Book, technically--theoretically--they're a "democratic republic" with an elected President, Cabinet, Legislature, political parties, etc. "NA" stands for "Not Available".

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/kn.html

Quote:

chief of state: KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - in September 1998, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was named President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials

elections: premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA)

election results: HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA%

cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly

head of government: Premier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998); Vice Premiers CHO Ch'ang-tok (since NA), KWAK Pom-ki (since NA), Sin IL-nam (since NA April 2002)

Legislative Branch:

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats

In actual practice, it's your basic cult-of-personality "dictatorship".

Profile.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/D...ile030108.html

Quote:

It is difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to deconstructing Kim Jong Il — he presides over an impoverished, hermetic country where brainwashing, brutal repression and a fanatical military are very much a part of everyday life.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1907197.stm

Quote:

But analysts are undecided whether his eccentricities mask the cunning mind of a master manipulator or betray an irrational madman.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...ent/995692.stm

Quote:

Inevitably, on the top floor there was a large billboard with an old photograph of the so-called Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, buying something from one of the assistants.

The cult of personality in North Korea shifted from the Great Leader after his death in 1994 to his heir, the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il.

Throughout Pyongyang there are billboards covered with photographs of Mr Kim giving guidance to plumbers, machine tool specialists, farmers and teachers.

There is no trade, it seems, in which he is not an expert.

I bought an English translation of his book, Guidance for Journalists, which is full of accounts of North Korean hacks weeping with joy while covering his official duties.

There is no pretence of objectivity here.

Trollbane · 17th February 2003, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Goshawk
There is no trade, it seems, in which he is not an expert.
[/b]

Yep.. After all the story goes that the first time he ever played golf he managed to do 11 hole in ones..

Supercharts · 20th February 2003, 08:26 AM

"SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean fighter plane intruded into South Korea (news - web sites)'s airspace on Thursday and the communist state, again using strident rhetoric, said nuclear war could break out on the peninsula at any time."

And the purpose of this provocative stunt is to?

Richard G · 20th February 2003, 09:21 AM

This is the lunatic that rules NK.

aerocontrols · 20th February 2003, 09:47 AM

I like this picture better:

Quote:

Assembled leaders of the world: We plan to launch nuclear missiles at selected targets in South Korea, Japan, and the Western United States. That is, unless you provide us with

100 billion dollars!

Michael Redman · 20th February 2003, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Supercharts
"SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean fighter plane intruded into South Korea (news - web sites)'s airspace on Thursday and the communist state, again using strident rhetoric, said nuclear war could break out on the peninsula at any time."

And the purpose of this provocative stunt is to?

Challenge Saddam for the title of World's Most Dangerous Dictator.

17th February 2003, 10:09 AM	#1
Supercharts Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,185	North Korea Leadership? I have a question. Who or What rules in North Korea. Is the present "Dear Leader" really the Leader or is there a council behind him that really has the power?

17th February 2003, 08:59 PM	#2
Goshawk Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Decatur, Illinois, USA Posts: 1,453	Nope, he's the Leader, definitely... According to the CIA Fact Book, technically--theoretically--they're a "democratic republic" with an elected President, Cabinet, Legislature, political parties, etc. "NA" stands for "Not Available". http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/kn.html Quote: chief of state: KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - in September 1998, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was named President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials elections: premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA) election results: HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA% cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly head of government: Premier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998); Vice Premiers CHO Ch'ang-tok (since NA), KWAK Pom-ki (since NA), Sin IL-nam (since NA April 2002) Legislative Branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats In actual practice, it's your basic cult-of-personality "dictatorship". Profile. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/D...ile030108.html Quote: It is difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to deconstructing Kim Jong Il — he presides over an impoverished, hermetic country where brainwashing, brutal repression and a fanatical military are very much a part of everyday life. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1907197.stm Quote: But analysts are undecided whether his eccentricities mask the cunning mind of a master manipulator or betray an irrational madman. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...ent/995692.stm Quote: Inevitably, on the top floor there was a large billboard with an old photograph of the so-called Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, buying something from one of the assistants. The cult of personality in North Korea shifted from the Great Leader after his death in 1994 to his heir, the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il. Throughout Pyongyang there are billboards covered with photographs of Mr Kim giving guidance to plumbers, machine tool specialists, farmers and teachers. There is no trade, it seems, in which he is not an expert. I bought an English translation of his book, Guidance for Journalists, which is full of accounts of North Korean hacks weeping with joy while covering his official duties. There is no pretence of objectivity here.

17th February 2003, 10:51 PM	#3
Trollbane Scholar Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 107	Re: Nope, he's the Leader, definitely... Quote: Originally posted by Goshawk There is no trade, it seems, in which he is not an expert. [/b] Yep.. After all the story goes that the first time he ever played golf he managed to do 11 hole in ones..
Trollbane Scholar Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 107

20th February 2003, 09:21 AM	#5
Richard G Muse Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 940	This is the lunatic that rules NK.
Richard G Muse Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 940

20th February 2003, 09:47 AM	#6
aerocontrols Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,445	I like this picture better: Quote: Assembled leaders of the world: We plan to launch nuclear missiles at selected targets in South Korea, Japan, and the Western United States. That is, unless you provide us with 100 billion dollars!
	__________________ Misunderestimated in 2000. Unredefeated in 2004. My dog does his tricks. My roomate's dog tries to escape the kitchen. We call you to be a people of manners, principles, honour, and purity; to reject the immoral acts of fornication, homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling's, and trading with interest. Source

20th February 2003, 08:26 AM	#4
Supercharts Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,185	"SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean fighter plane intruded into South Korea (news - web sites)'s airspace on Thursday and the communist state, again using strident rhetoric, said nuclear war could break out on the peninsula at any time." And the purpose of this provocative stunt is to?

20th February 2003, 10:10 AM	#7
Michael Redman Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 3,063	Quote: Originally posted by Supercharts "SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean fighter plane intruded into South Korea (news - web sites)'s airspace on Thursday and the communist state, again using strident rhetoric, said nuclear war could break out on the peninsula at any time." And the purpose of this provocative stunt is to? Challenge Saddam for the title of World's Most Dangerous Dictator.
	__________________ The rule is perfect; in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane. - Mark Twain