North Korea’s military ‘will be key’ to deciding Kim Jong Un’s successor if dictator dies

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If Kim Jong Un is incapacitated or dead, his sister Kim Yo Jong will likely take over as an interim leader until North Korea’s powerful politburo committee chooses its next ‘dear leader’ according to RMIT Professor Joseph Siracusa. There are conflicting reports whether North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un is dead or if he is recuperating in the resort town of Wonsa. Speculation about his health begun to emerge after the 36-year-old did not attend the anniversary of the birthday of North Korea's founding father and Mr Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on 15 April. Professor Siracusa has told Sky News there will be a “power vacuum,” with the military poised to take centre stage. “He doesn’t run the whole show by the way, he has always been in cahoots with the military,” Professor Siracusa said. “So, if there is something going on it will be the military who will be manoeuvring. “Now he has a sister who carries the dynastic bloodline…she might be there to bridge over things, but I doubt in a reactionary society like North Korea, that doesn’t have any women in high places, that they would accept her as his successor. “But she might hold the fort until his sons, and he’s got two or three children according to the New York Times, are ready to take over.”

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