This is the second part of a two-part series on the death of Kim Jong Il and the subsequent to rise to power of Kim Jong Un. Read part one here.
Everyone who studies North Korea remembers where they were when they learned Kim Jong Il had died. I remember that on December 18 I was talking to a South Korean friend, and jokingly told her “well, we can’t predict the future. For example, Kim Jong Il may die tomorrow.” The next day, just after noon, I got a message from her: “Kim Jong Il died. Just as you said, Fyodor."
This is the second part of a two-part series on the death of Kim Jong Il and the subsequent to rise to power of Kim Jong Un. Read part one here.
Everyone who studies North Korea remembers where they were when they learned Kim Jong Il had died. I remember that on December 18 I was talking to a South Korean friend, and jokingly told her “well, we can’t predict the future. For example, Kim Jong Il may die tomorrow.” The next day, just after noon, I got a message from her: “Kim Jong Il died. Just as you said, Fyodor."
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.