North Korea

November 2005 | Risk Summary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has failed to name a successor-in-waiting at the ruling communist party's 60th birthday celebrations, as some had expected. Major announcements have previously been tied to the anniversary celebrations, and at 63, there was speculation that Kim would announce which of his three-known sons would be heir to the world's only communist dynasty. Kim will need to lay the groundwork for naming a successor by preparing the powerful military and communist cadres to back his choice, especially with the recent death of North Korea's third defence official signalling the slow passing of the old guard. However,

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