Is Kim Jong-un more ruthless and unforgiving than his late father?

[Matteo]

Interesting analytical piece I'd advise everyone to read

It's a commonly accepted fact Kim Jong-un is a sociopath, but it is getting to the stage where basically nobody is safe around him. He executed his own uncle in cold blood, and, as the article stated, is suspected of perhaps making his wife disappear, not to mention a large handful of other public executions within the last few months. At this stage, he seems to adopt more sociopathic and murderous tendencies than his sadistic father. And that's hard to believe. Then again, a lot of this could be for 'show'. Kim Jong-un is largely made a laughingstock in Western media, and - despite all of his rhetoric and ghastly actions - he isn't really taken seriously. Perhaps his recent actions is a response to this as he is trying to rejuvenate fear and hostility back into his name and country. The twisted thing is, he is doing so at the expense of hundreds of lives.

It is very difficult to analyse North Korea from an outsider viewpoint. The state is so damn isolated from the international community, and anything that is leaked from the hermit kingdom is state-funded propaganda. The next few years of Kim Jong-un's regime is going to be very compelling. He has not done a very good job in strengthening ties with his only true ally, China, and he seems to be a hot magnet for rhetoric and generating tension in the region. He seems to have absolutely no interest in placing North Korea in the international community. I'm not saying he will do anything suicidal (i.e., launch a strike at South Korea or Japan), but we truly do not know what this despotic little dictator is capable of. All it takes is one scene of mismanagement, misinterpretation or the slightest of incidents that could trigger this nutjob of.

One thing that disgusts me about China is their senseless backing of North Korea. If China was not standing in the way and North Korea was left with virtually zero allies, a possible invasion of the country, perhaps instigated by the UN Security Council, designed to overthrow Jong-un's regime and place him on the ICC for prosecution, would be pretty damn likely. Because, all things considered, what is happening in North Korea at the moment is downright inhumane and barbaric. The very basics of human rights are being violated, not to mention an unwelcoming nuclear programme, strict poverty and various other things we probably have no idea about. Now, I know China do not support a unification with South Korea, and that's fine - keep the states separate, but at least replace the current North Korea dictatorship with a more democratic and 'opening' government. I don't care if it is very pro-China and very anti-West, but it is simply staggering the international community is allowing a twisted fuck like Jong-un remain in power. China should just bite the bullet, take the initiative, and get rid of this lunatic. It'll probably benefit them to some extent too.

[HFX]

As you said, China is the main deterrent to action against North Korea. They won't intervene because North Korea is the perfect buffer between them and the heavily American presence in South Korea. But if Kim Jong-Un does step out of line then I think China will be the first country to act. Last I heard they were already massing armies along the border. They'll overthrow him with ease and install a puppet regime that won't rock the boat. China knows full well North Korea can't stand against the "Western" powers and doesn't want America sitting on their doorstep. It's sad but does anyone really expect the Chinese government to care about anyone.

[ShaneOfan]

I'm sure his father had just as many people executed the issue with Un is he is new to the game and his country isn't as stable as he would like the world to think. While the underlings in his country are to brainwashed and blinded to see it, there are generals and politicians who are smart enough to see he has a struggle. Un is proving to them he IS in charge and there is no room for even a group of people to squeeze in and take him out. He will continue to take out other semi-powerful opponents until he feels he has effectively protected himself as "Dear Leader" keep in mind with his Uncle that the guy was once considered to take over after Jong-il died.

[AkydefGoldberg]

It seems he's heading that way.

It's difficult to judge whether he's taking these decisions unilaterally or whether his inner circle are feeding him bullshit and putting images into his head and then he's taking these actions.

But Thaek seemed to be improving economic ties with China and trying to drive trade and this latest execution will only harm North Korea. It shows Kim is even more wary of cosy relationships with China than the West - maybe paranoia in his head that there's 'revolt' against him being planned.

TBH, China have a relationship with North Korea is important because if they discard them then there's no real state able to work on them. No chance of an invasion in North Korea lol, I don't think anyone wants that unless there's a massive scale murder of its citizens by Kim. Even then South Korea will be pushed to take the lead backed by Western forces. Then not taking into account China's role in this.

[AkydefGoldberg]

The answer to the topic question would be true, even more so, if this story about Kim Jong sending his uncle and his five aides to death via 120 attack dogs in a cage, is true.

But as the article points out, any wacky story relating to North Korea makes news but also the bias of some the newspapers who've published the story.

Let's face it, guys like Kim Jong Un and other dictators are laughed at and ridiculedjust as much for their strong views and actions.

[Chewy]

He's more Simon Gruber than Hans.