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NYC Liberal

(20,444 posts)
16. A good article from VICE that has a theory related to that:
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 10:43 PM
Oct 2014
https://news.vice.com/article/why-a-very-specific-kind-of-coup-may-explain-kim-jong-uns-disappearance

To hazard a guess as to what has happened: It is possible that the OGD has decided to remove Kim Jong-un as a figurehead.

There are seemingly reasons to do so. North Korea has struggled for more than a year to find a source of money to replace aid from China that was reduced following North Korea's third nuclear test in February 2013. The regime probably needs that aid to secure the political loyalty of the Pyongyang elite. Although they now enjoy much better access to restaurants, coffee houses, and consumer goods than they did just a few years ago, they have been steadily learning how poor they are compared to the Chinese — let alone the South Koreans — and demanding more goodies that the regime is struggling to provide.

The regime has tried to secure significant investment from Russia, and senior North Korean officials have toured other countries in Europe trying to find money there too. Both efforts have failed, and it is hard to see where the regime could now turn for financial assistance other than to South Korea. Perhaps Kim resisted reaching out to the arch rival, and the OGD decided that, for the regime as a whole to survive, Kim had to go.

Some have said that if there were a coup, bloodless or otherwise, then we should observe movements of people and of the military that do not seem to be occurring. A classic coup might provoke such movements, but a silent takeover by the OGD probably would not. The North Korean military are under the command of the Korean Workers Party, and if the OGD decided to take Kim out of the limelight, it would be simple to instruct the party to order the military to carry on as usual. And with the OGD continuing to run the country, it would be business as usual for North Korean civilians.

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0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I could swear that I read, somewhere ... Trajan Oct 2014 #1
That story, combined with the absence of the 'great leader' Trajan Oct 2014 #2
That would be fantastic! C Moon Oct 2014 #7
If, and when, the country is unified again... awoke_in_2003 Oct 2014 #14
And just think of how hi tech SK is and how behind NK is Marrah_G Oct 2014 #18
difficult... awoke_in_2003 Oct 2014 #22
Yup- might just take a generation or two Marrah_G Oct 2014 #23
But I think even with the brain washing that the people in the north madokie Oct 2014 #26
Sadly I agree... Volaris Oct 2014 #21
A good article from VICE that has a theory related to that: NYC Liberal Oct 2014 #16
As I've said on other places I highly doubt it davidpdx Oct 2014 #30
and the link doesn't work dlwickham Oct 2014 #4
try again ... Trajan Oct 2014 #6
Yes, they did for the Asian Games and then dinner davidpdx Oct 2014 #27
Has his bride been seen? Historic NY Oct 2014 #3
No sabbat hunter Oct 2014 #5
Interesting an internal family struggle??? Historic NY Oct 2014 #13
He was a complete and utter nut-burger and everyone around him knew it. Quixote1818 Oct 2014 #8
What you said! SoapBox Oct 2014 #15
You know how hereditary monarchies deal with unwanted monarchs? Jack Rabbit Oct 2014 #9
In this case? The family made claims that they were godlike.... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2014 #11
I don't think so Jack Rabbit Oct 2014 #19
They didn't claim they were "Heaven Sent".... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2014 #20
The Bourbons and Romanovs claimed . . . Jack Rabbit Oct 2014 #24
ALL of the kings and queens of old were TOLD they had a divine right to rule.... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2014 #25
I was going with corpse by firing squad since it's the Generals running around. JimDandy Oct 2014 #10
"Wonder what our State Dept and CIA peeps are digging up on his whereabouts?" Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2014 #12
He's probably just hanging low with Jimmy Hoffa Kaleva Oct 2014 #17
No, this is exactly what you posted about, a day ago muriel_volestrangler Oct 2014 #28
I highly doubt Kim is dead davidpdx Oct 2014 #29
i tend to agree. we're all going to be disappointed samsingh Oct 2014 #31
I'll post the link from the other thread as to other information people aren't factoring in davidpdx Oct 2014 #32
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