Friday, December 20, 2013

NORTH KOREA - Kim Jung Un's Power Play Sends Shivers Around the World

"Kim Jong Un's deadly power play stokes fear in foreign governments" PBS Newshour 12/19/2013

Excerpt

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour):  This week, North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, embarked on his third year as head of the isolated kingdom, after a week that has raised questions about his intentions and his country's stability.

Today, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey, commenting on Kim's execution of his high-ranking uncle, said: "These kind of internal actions by dictators are often a precursor to provocation."  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called it concerning to everyone.

Tonight senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Warner takes a closer look at the erratic 30-year-old.

MARGARET WARNER (Newshour):  NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman returned to Pyongyang today to renew what he calls his basketball diplomacy and his curious friendship with Kim Jong-un, North Korea's young leader for the past two years, who remains a mystery to the outside world.

The visit comes a week after Kim staged a theatrical and deadly power play.  He had his uncle and presumed mentor Jang Song Thaek arrested in public, tried for treason and executed.  Kim's summary dispatch of his high-ranking relative perplexed and disturbed foreign governments and longtime observers.

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