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Kim dynasty

December 19, 2011

As North Korea names Kim Jong Un 'Great Successor' to his father Kim Jong Il, who has died of a heart attack, Deutsche Welle's Gui Hao argues that one should not expect too much change from the isolated nuclear state.

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The world has one dictator less. But the next one has already been groomed. As tradition has it in this dictatorship, known officially as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim is followed by Kim, as used to be the case in imperial dynasties. The country's founder Kim Il Sung was succeeded by his son Kim Jong Il, whose own son Kim Jong Un is has now been announced the Great Successor.

The Kim clan has already ruled North Korea for six decades - without visible success. The country is in a sorry state and could probably not survive without international aid, predominantly from China and Russia. Famine, poor harvests and a stagnant economy have most of the population of 24 million fighting for sheer survival. Pyongyang's only trump card is its nuclear program, which the regime thinks is an effective means of exercising pressure on the US.

Hao Gui
Hao Gui is an editor in DW's Asia sectionImage: DW

But in reality, the country is becoming increasingly isolated. Even big brother China seems to be losing patience, putting more and more pressure on North Korea during nuclear talks. In recent years, the "madman with a bomb," as some described the despot Kim Jong Il, was unimpressed, continuing to rule in his capricious, ruthless manner. While his people staved off hunger, he apparently liked to indulge in cognac and Bordeaux wines - right till his last breath.

Not even 30, Kim Jong Un now has to step into his father's shoes. The world does not know much about his leadership qualities or political views. It is not even clear what year he was born in. But it would be unrealistic to expect great political changes.

Kim Jong Un has been viewed as the heir presumptive since 2010, when he was made a general, but always in the shadow of his father, he was given little chance to demonstrate his political skills.

Moreover, little is known about the other factions which rule the country behind closed doors. Kim, whether Il Sung, Jong Il or Jong Un, is only a name, the object of a personality cult and the face of a zombie state whose death has oft been prophesied. But it would seem the condemned live longer.

Author: Gui Hao / act
Editor: Sarah Berning