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I’m having flashbacks to Sept. 2008, when KJU’s father, then-leader Kim Jong Il, failed to show up for a military parade marking a major national anniversary. THAT was cause for concern. We put out a news alert. (I was AP’s Korea bureau chief at the time)
We hounded intel officials, and finally got confirmation from multiple reliable sources that Kim Jong Il had suffered a stroke a few weeks earlier & was in a coma. #NorthKorea kept this quiet for weeks! That's how much of a hold on information the regime has.
And yes, I did write a “who’s next” story about succession in #NorthKorea that day in 2008. In truth, none of us had any idea who was next in line. It didn’t seem like Kim Jong Il had a clear successor lined up. There were valid concerns about potential for chaos.
But Kim Jong Il recovered & began grooming Kim Jong Un to take over - before dying of a heart attack 3 years later. A little Kim family history for you.
What this highlights is the challenge of reporting on #NorthKorea when we’re not on the ground. North Korea has closed its borders due to #coronavirus & instituted strict quarantines, meaning there are fewer foreigners than usual in Pyongyang. Not sure when we'll get clarity.
I should point out that #NorthKorea never acknowledged father Kim Jong Il's stroke or coma. We got that confirmation from the French doctor who was flown to Pyongyang to treat the ailing leader. Don't expect DPRK to confirm any heart surgery.
