The Death of Kim Jong-il, and What May be to Come

Kim Jong-il, Supreme Leader of North Korea

After years of ill health and speculation, a black hearse pulled up to the North Korean palace to drive Kim Jong-il away for the last time. For as long as Kim Jong-il has been in power he has had two stories to his life.

In one story, a work of fiction, Kim Jong-il was the “supreme leader”, beloved by his people and in return providing them with everything they could ever need. He was deified and was said to have the power to control the weather based on his mood. His birthday was the most important holiday in North Korea and mass celebrations occurred all across the nation.

But this fiction has always been completely transparent. Under Kim Jong-il’s rule, Korean’s have starved to death by the millions and the country has stayed mired in extreme poverty while their southern brethren jumped into the first world.

Kim Jong-il was born in 1941. After graduating college he went directly in politics, rising quickly through the ranks of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party.  Eventually becoming the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il became the de facto leader of North Korea, granting control of the fourth largest standing army in the world. 

Over time, North Koreans developed a large personality cult around Kim Jong-il, with his likeness posted in many North Korean homes.  While Kim Jong-il enjoyed his celebrity status, much of North Korea suffered from the martial law enacted during their dictator’s reign. As his wet nurse, Sun-joo Park said, “Kim Jong-il was always very aggressive, mean to everyone… I was not surprised he let the people of North Korea starve.”

His death left North Korea in a state of advanced instability, leading to the attack on Northern Australia by North Korean forces, killing as many as 55,000 according the Australian war ministry.  Kim Jong-un, the oldest son of the deceased dictator, is assumed to take control of North Korea, but political complications may leave the Korean Peninsula under extremely adverse conditions.  According to North Korean’s foreign affairs minister, the launch codes were stolen by a dissatisfied general who feared being ousted by Kim Jong-un. 

Hopefully, Kim Jong-un will take control of his country so future disasters are avoided.

- Ron Bergundy and Wolf Plitzer

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Op - Ed: The New Nuclear North Korean War

When the Korean War broke out, the United States sent troops halfway across the globe to protect the freedom of the South Koreans. In this they were successful but when we tried to the cross the border into North Korea, China entered the war; because of this, we were fought back to our original position, leaving the peninsula divided.

Again, we are faced with a violent and resurgent North Korea, but this time, the situation is different. China has changed its long held stance of "unconditional support" for North Korea and condemns its act of violence. With this changed dynamic, a military response by the West is once possible. The United States still maintains bases in South Korea and a navy nearby on retaliation on Australia's behalf would be immediate and at will.

Still, renewed war remains a slim possibility. The single largest predicting factor is North Korea's nuclear arsenal. The main goal of the United States and the rest of the world should be to keep their heads screwed on and the bombs grounded.

Ballistic Strike in Northern Australia

Previous attacks on Yeonpyeong bear striking similarities to the current strike on Australia

25 ballistic missiles were launched at long range to the Northern coast of Australia by North Korea.  Not only is this the first act of war committed by North Korea outside the Korean peninsula, but it is also an act of aggression against a Western Nation and former colony.  There is no indication of the attack was nuclear, but information is limited at this time and speculation runs rampant. 

Australia is taking all precautions possible, including the assumption that North Korea may have used nuclear force and the preparation for potential future attacks.  Harvey Henley, assistant to the Australian defense minister, claims the attack was made for political ideals, yet North Korea’s official statement is still awaited.  He says, “We see no reason why missiles targeted Northern Australia.”

The US ambassador to Australia, Richard Masterson, says, “The U.S. plans to send as many aid workers as possible to Australia, and we post for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to discuss the political instability in North Korea.”  The U.S. plans to announce their official course of action shortly.

This attack was at the longest range available to North Korean artillery.  It comes on the heels of attacks on South Korea, which also has strong allies with the western world.  This attack bears many similarities to the recent bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island in South Korean territory.  This prior attack led to the deaths of many innocent South Koreans, yet there was no response made by South Korean government.

When contacted, the Chinese Minister of Foreign affairs, Liu Xiaobao, responded “China is reconsidering their unconditional support of North Korea.”  According to Xiaobao, China had no indication of an attack planned.  When asked about whether China would support North Korea in the event of western military force, Xiaobao responds, “No we cannot.  We deplore the attack and had no part in it.”

Whether this remains merely a flexing of power from the politically turbulent North Korea, or signs of an impending military campaign orchestrated by North Korea remains to be seen.  However, an Australian retaliation is a distinct possibility. 

Executing a ballistic strike without official declaration of war violates U.N. rulings, and how the international community will deal with this offense remains to be seen.  No matter what the response, this tragedy strikes at the heart of all people everywhere.

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-CNN Wire Staff