Those hoping for regime change in North Korea may have just gotten their wish ... it's just not the type change they had been hoping for. The purge and subsequent execution of North Korea's No. 2 leader, Jang Song Thaek, proves again the dangers associated with being next in line in an authoritarian society. Even being the No. 1 guy's uncle (by marriage) cannot save you.
What all this means for the stability of the regime and its future policy is anyone's guess. Remember that when it comes to North Korea, we're all guessing.
The frustrating part about analyzing North Korean actions is that every event has at least two equally plausible but diametrically opposed explanations. The experts seem divided between those who think that Jang's removal from power reflects Kim Jong Un's total control — he is now secure enough to remove his father's chosen mentor — and those who believe that it reflects just how unstable and insecure the 20-something leader really is.
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