September 17, 2008

'De facto' wife of ailing North Korea's Kim Jong-Il gaining influence

With the fate of North Korea’s ailing leader Kim Jong-Il uncertain, South Korean intelligence officials are increasingly monitoring his "de facto wife" who is believed to be playing a key role behind the scenes. Kim Ok, the "Dear Leader's" former personal secretary, is now acting as his wife and is monitoring documents reaching him at a Pyongyang hospital, according to intelligence sources.     (FULL STORY)
Kim Jong-Il in happier and healthier days. AFP/KCNA

Chinese media go dark on North Korea as CCP cultivates ties with key generals

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is pulling out the stops to ensure that the struggle for power that will follow the demise of North Korea's “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-Il will not hurt China’s national interests. Under Hu’s orders, the CCP’s Propaganda Department has asked all state media to refrain from carrying commentaries on the state of Kim’s health and what might happen if he was incapacitated. Hu has asked Vice President Xi Jinping, who visited the PDRK in the spring, to head a special new group within the LGFA to look into the succession issue.        (FULL STORY)
Kim Jong Il, right, meets with visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang, on June 18.  Xinhua/Lan Hongguang
Top defector: China in the driver's seat should chaos erupt following death of Kim Jong-Il
Collective leadership seen replacing one-man rule in N. Korea following death of Kim
   
China's new military spending figures fraction of U.S. estimates
China spy ship monitors Taiwan exercises from international waters
China moves on Pacific islands seen as 'power projection'
PLA worried about cyber security but opposes restricting web use

China's foreign reserves seen pulling Costa Rica from Taiwan's orbit / Russian aircraft carrier still not a done deal as India develops a taste for American systems / Going where bankers have feared to tread / Rapidly aging Japan seen losing its economic status / Asians dumping dollars to deflate their currencies
S. Korean intelligence confirms N. Korea’s new missile base
China claims PL-9C air-to-air missiles more accurate than U.S. AIM-9L/M
Chinese intel prepares for the passing of Dalai Lama, whose recent illness spurred rumors
China assesses book charging top U.S. capitalists with conspiring against China

 
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