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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& #39;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& #39;ll get clarity.
I should point out that #NorthKorea never acknowledged father Kim Jong Il& #39;s stroke or coma. We got that confirmation from the French doctor who was flown to Pyongyang to treat the ailing leader. Don& #39;t expect DPRK to confirm any heart surgery.
