Kim Jong-il Has Health Problems

Last week, it was reported in The Chosun Ilbo that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il is suffering from a failing heart and kidneys. He apparently has to stop and rest after walking a mere 20 to 30 meters.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the Russians are clinically testing some 'new medicine' to treat Kim Jong-il's heart disease and diabetes. The source of the news about Kim Jong-il's health is Kim Seung-Kyu, the director of South Korea's main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service.

From MOSNEWS.com:

"His agency believes the two (test subjects), who are same in physique and age as Kim Jong-Il, are receiving the new medicine for diabetes and heart diseases at a hospital in Russia."

As is customary, there has been no confirmation of the information by the North Koreans or the Russians. However, Kim Jong-il has noticeably avoided appearing in public and disappeared completely for six straight weeks in July and August. Therefore, maybe there is substance to the reports of failing health and, if so, the West might not have Kim Jong-il to kick around much longer. I say okey-dokey to that.

Unfortunately, it's currently thought that Kim Jong-il's successor will be his youngest son, 22-year-old Kim Jong-un, although there's no evidence that anyone has been groomed for the job. There is, however, some speculation that Kim's other two sons, 35-year-old Kim Jong-nam and 25-year-old Kim Jong-chol, may vie for the leadership role and a dispute could facilitate a political or military coup. Let's hope so. Conditions in North Korea are mass poverty and frequent famine. Any governmental pot-stirring would likely be beneficial.

As an afterthought, I love news reports about the Russians testing experimental drugs on human guinea pigs with hopes of finding a miracle cure to save the life of a third-world dictator. How much is true remains to be seen but I'd bet Tom Clancy could spin a good novel out of the story.