NKorea's Kim strengthens grip on power, prepares for succession

NUKEWARS

Major powers hold inconclusive talks on NKorea
Six major powers held yet another inconclusive bargaining session Thursday on North Korea's long-range rocket launch as a senior Japanese official pressed for a speedy, "adequate" response. Envoys of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Japan huddled behind closed doors for 45 minutes. But they did not announce a breakthrough in their bid to agree on a text in response to Sunday's launch of a three-stage Taepodong-2 rocket over Japan. "We had a productive meeting," US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice would only say after the meeting. "Our work continues." Her Japanese counterpart Yukio Takasu also described the talks as "productive" and said the six ambassadors "agreed to continue the consultations" on what he called a "very serious act by the DPRK (North Korea)." But there was no word as to when the six or the full 15-member council would next convene. Japan's foreign affairs state secretary Shintaro Ito told reporters earlier: "We will continue maximum efforts to (secure) a resolution" stating that North Korea violated UN resolutions barring it from conducting any missile-related activities. He stressed the need for "adequate action" by the council "with speed and consensus." He would not elaborate on the context of the proposed text. Ito spoke after holding what he described as "constructive" talks with the current chair of the 15-member council, Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico. The Japanese diplomat said he also conferred with the US and Russian ambassadors and planned to meet with Chinese ambassador Zhang Yesui. Ito said he planned to stay in New York "as long as it takes." But there was no sign that the council was getting any closer to agreeing on either a resolution or even a weaker, non-binding statement on the issue. North Korea insists that its rocket put into orbit a communications satellite that is beaming back patriotic songs. South Korea, Japan and the US military say there is no sign of the object in space and that the launch was in any case a disguised long-range missile test in violation of UN resolutions. Ito noted that the three-stage delivery system used in Sunday's launch was "a missile itself or used missile technology," which is a violation of UN resolutions adopted in 2006 after North Korea's nuclear test and missile launches. The United States and its allies are seeking a strong UN response to the launch but China and Russia are urging restraint so as not to harm prospects for resuming stalled six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Diplomats said China and Russia were balking at the adoption of a resolution and instead would prefer agreement by consensus on a non-binding statement expressing concern about the launch, as well as urging Pyongyang to return to the six-party talks and respect UN resolutions. Pyongyang has warned of "strong steps" if the United Nations censures it.

by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) April 10, 2009
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il -- apparently recovering from a stroke and bolstered by a rocket launch -- has begun preparing for an eventual transfer of power by promoting a trusted in-law, analysts say.

After winning a new mandate from parliament Thursday to rule the communist state, Kim brought his brother-in-law Jang Song-Thaek into its most powerful organ the National Defence Commission (NDC).

Kim, who was re-elected as NDC chairman, also expanded the commission which oversees the 1.2 million member military.

In the process, analysts say, the 67-year-old further bolstered his own authority despite lingering uncertainty about his health.

State media said the number of NDC members was increased from nine to 13, with Jang getting one of the new seats.

"The NDC has been strengthened, with its number increased and new figures brought in," said Seoul's Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-Nyoun.

He said Kim's attendance at the inaugural meeting of the newly-elected Supreme People's Assembly indicated he was carrying out state duties normally.

The leader was shown on television walking 10 steps to the podium, limping slightly on his left side.

His left arm appeared stiff when he raised both hands to applaud the audience which gave him a standing ovation.

The new parliament also approved a law to revise the constitution for the first time in 11 years, in an apparent bid for political restructuring.

Jang's promotion confirms the NDC will lay the groundwork for succession and lead the country towards its avowed goal of becoming a "prosperous and powerful state by 2012," said Kim Yeon-Chul, director of the Hankyoreh Peace Research Institute.

"Jang's promotion has long been expected as he is the person Kim Jong-Il can trust most with the job of preparing for the post-Kim era," he told AFP.

The 63-year-old Jang, currently the communist party's administration department director, has increasingly been accompanying Kim on his field guidance trips and strengthening his image as the leader's right-hand man.

Jang, husband of Kim's favourite sister Kim Kyong-Hui, fell out of favour in early 2004. He made a comeback in late 2005 and was named in October 2007 to head a party department which supervises police, judges and prosecutors.

Professor Koh Yu-Hwan of Dongguk University said the NDC had now emerged as the militaristic country's power centre in both name and reality.

"The NDC has become a power complex combining the party, the government and the military under its wing," Koh told journalists.

"Jang's appointment to the NDC is aimed at handling any contingency Kim's health problems may bring about, and playing a key role in preparing for the post-Kim era."

Kim took over following the death in 1994 of his father, founding president Kim Il-Sung. It is unclear which of his own three sons may be in line to succeed, but a third-generation Kim is unlikely to wield as much power as the first two.

"Chairman Kim favours a hereditary succession backed by a collective leadership by his confidants," Lee Ki-Dong of the Institute of National Security Strategy told a seminar recently.

Cheong Seong-Chang of the Sejong Institute said the leader was likely to appoint his successor within a year, if he had not already done so.

"One of his two legitimate sons -- Jong-Chul or Jong-Un -- is expected to be appointed as the successor," Cheong said recently.

Five people including Jang were appointed as NDC members after former public security minister Choi Yong-Su was dropped, according to state media.

They include Ju Kyu-Chang, first deputy defence industry minister who was in charge of launching the rocket last Sunday.

The North says it put a satellite into orbit in what it terms a scientific triumph.

The United States and its allies say there is no sign of any satellite and the launch was in any case a disguised missile test in violation of United Nations resolutions.

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NUKEWARS

Obama's crisis diplomacy hits North Korea hiccup

Washington (AFP) April 6, 2009
President Barack Obama's vaulting rhetoric over North Korea's missile launch ran into familiar resistance at the UN, exposing the cold reality confronting his vows of a new diplomatic dawn.

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