NK will try to hold the world hostage with their nuclear weapons. And when they try to use them, they will get blown off the map.

This could be the end of the Kim dynasty in North Korea, especially if the sister is not strong enough to keep control. If the Generals start infighting, there could be a bit of a civil war, with the general populace left to fend for themselves.

Probably best for South Korea and the West to let them sort it out; NK is not worth the time or expense of getting involved.

North Korea will certainly be better off with a new leader.

I think I’ve seen this movie a few months ago.

Seems like it would be smart to wait and see what the major reputable news organs make of it before we buy this report.

If Kim Jong-Un were out of action, though, my guess would be that China would step in with a heavy hand. I doubt that anyone in DPRK (North Korea), even the sister, has the muscle to hold it together. China has been DPRK’s protector and big brother for a long time, and one thing they don’t want is a tsunami of refugees coming across their border. China hasn’t been particularly shy about taking advantage of weakness among its neighbors.

We’d be making a big mistake if we thought chaos in DPRK wouldn’t affect us. For one thing, they have a very large and well-trained army that thinks we are the enemy. For another, the people are going to be shocked and possibly annoyed when they find out that DPRK is not in fact the most advanced and prosperous country in the world and Kim is not a universally respected leader whose guidance is so sought-after around the world that people everywhere study their language just to have the benefit of his wisdom.

That kind of disappointing revelation is bound to have unpleasant repercussions.

“Seems like it would be smart to wait and see what the major reputable news organs make of it before we buy this report.”

@Jeruba Yeah I debated on posting this question, but there have been other times where rumors circulated on his death that I thought it was an interesting thought.

If there’s going to be a crisis in North Korea, I hope to hell it holds off until after noon on January 20th.

It all depends on how much is his sister is like him. Is there a possibility she will be open to the idea of some sort of reunification. Keeping the country separate but willing to work with South Korea to allow people in and out of the country and open the doors to trading. Or another possibility the generals do a coup and kill her and Uns children. Killing the line of succession and another tyrant rises. Different day, different tyrant.

@Pandora Agreed.

Educated in Switzerland, computer science. Married, one child. She is still female though. Speculation is a collective leadership so we’ll see. She has the ‘royal bloodline.’

So, no mention of North Korea today among top stories in the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, Japan Times, Sydney Morning Herald, or South China Morning Post, just for starters. I even checked The Scotsman and the Des Moines Register. I don’t think anything has happened.

Kellyanne Conway sure has got a lot of coverage, though.

@Jeruba At best even South Korea thinks at the most he may just be in a Coma and that the recent pictures were fakes. They don’t believe he’s dead. I agree. If he were dead his sister or some General would’ve taken over as leader and announced his death to make their leadership official. He may just be in a Coma and they are waiting to see what happens when he comes out of it.

@Jeruba It was reported on Fox News, but I am aware they are not a credible news source.

@Jeruba: I heard the news about Kim Jong Un months ago, so it’s not something that would be getting daily coverage on major news outlets at this point.

@jca2, exactly. So did I. This story has come and gone several times. I remain skeptical.

He has something like 20 known official palaces and residences, some of which he never visits. No doubt he also has some well-appointed secret hideaways where he can hang out indefinitely. If he were waiting out the covid-19 pandemic in a comfy bunker somewhere, and pulling the strings of government clandestinely, would that be at all surprising?