Succession Watch
Radio Free Asia, quoting various “sources,” speculates that Kim Jong Eun’s place as successor is being consolidated through a combination of public ceremony and private movements of the levers of power — most significantly, by giving him some authority over the dreaded Anjeonbu, or Peoples’ Safety Agency. Without getting into a chicken-and-egg argument, I see that the Daily NK and Open Radio are reporting the same thing:
According to the source, Kim Jong-Il adjusted the power structure to enable the People’s Safety Agency to report directly to Kim Jong-Eun when in conflict with the Military. This visit also included the head of the People’s Safety Agency, Ju Sang-Sung, and Chang Sung-Taek. Until now, Ju Sang-Sung reported to Chang Sung-Taek. However, Ju Sang-Sung will report directly to Kim Jong-Eun from now on. Kim Jong-Eun took over the People’s Safety Agency following the military and the National Security Agency.
Kim Jong-Il also stated that the People’s Safety Agency is the political support for the party, and the lead fighter for the revolutionary battle. Through this, Kim Jong-Il indicated that the Safety Agency has a clear authority. [Open Radio]
According to the decree, Kim Jong Eun’s birthday is to be publicized as January 8th and the entire Party apparatus, army and people should celebrate on that day. Interestingly, it also made clear, “January 8th is designated the birthday of Captain Kim Jong Eun, who is the other leader of us and our future, inheriting the perfect and pure blood of Mt. Baekdu. The decree ordered, “All enterprises and organizations must express their loyalty for Kim Jong Eun through loyalty singing performances and rallies on the day. [Daily NK]
Without taking anything away from the great value of the new defector news services as reporters of news from North Korea’s streets, villages, and markets, I don’t have much confidence in any news source’s reporting about the inner workings of North Korean kremlinology. I think those things are still mostly unknowable, and likely to be disinformation from any number of possible sources.