North Korean leadership: Kim Jong Il's balancing act in the ruling circle

Author: Jeon Jei Guk  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1360-2241

Source: Third World Quarterly, Vol.21, Iss.5, 2000-10, pp. : 761-779

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Abstract

The unexpected durability of North Korea, the world's last unreformed Stalinist polity, is attributable to Kim Jong Il's prudent balancing act between political forces. His balancing act, which is embodied in inclusive politics, honour-power sharing arrangements, and divide-and-rule tactics, has turned out to be effective in clearing away potential cleavages built into the ruling circle and thus in concluding the prolonged succession plan. As long as the balancing act continues to work, the dynasty, albeit defective, could survive in adversity for a longer period than expected. However, once the delicate balance artificially designed by Kim Jong Il is broken down for any reason, Pyongyang's power circle will slip into a centrifugal spiral, followed by internecine power struggles and the collapse of the regime.