by Joseph Yun Li-sun

Hamlet takes centre stage in Pyongyang. With North Korea's young dictator, Kim Jong-un, playing happy husband with wife at the amusement part for the greater joy of photographers, Uncle Jang Song-taek purges the top echelons of the regime to assert his power. However, he is taking big risks because North Koreans will not let a non-Kim rule them.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - Jang Song-taek, North Korea's eminence grise, is vying for power. Brother-in-law of the late Kim Jong-il (he married the latter's sister, Kim Kyong-hui) and uncle of Kim Jong-un, the current dictator, Jang is responsible for reforms currently underway in Pyongyang, this according to South Korean and Us intelligence sources.

Last night, North Korea media reported a statement by the regime. "The puppet group (South Korea)... tried to give (the) impression that the present leadership of the DPRK (North Korea) broke with the past. This is the height of ignorance," a spokesman said. "To expect policy change and reform and opening from the DPRK is nothing but a foolish and silly dream, just like wanting the sun to rise in the west."

Although such rhetoric corresponds to what we might expect from the world's last Stalinist regime, it is clear that the power structure in Pyongyang has been changing in the past two months, not the least the behaviour of the supreme leader.

Unlike his father (who spoke publicly twice in 17 years) and grandfather (who was a hardnose ideologue), the new marshal is seen by the population every day, unafraid of walkabouts.

Since he came to power, Kim Jong-un has allowed the opening of a pizzeria and a fast food joint in the capital. He has also inaugurated an amusement park, showed off his bride and allowed live Olympic broadcasting. What's more, he went along with his uncle's decision to remove General Ri Yong-ho, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.

The late Kim Jong-il appointed Jang Song-taek in January 2009 as his son's tutor. Gradually, from this position, Jang has built up a power base, taking advantage of his brother-in-law's stroke.

"He has removed top military commanders from the old guard," a source told AsiaNews, and "pushed for economic reform."

"His nephew is not stupid, but is not well-versed in the regime's power system. So he needs his uncle as an ally. The alliance might break but appears to be working for now."

The only danger "is that North Koreans see the Kim family as the only one with the right to rule," the source noted.

"Kim Il-sung is still much loved and his descendants are seen as legitimate and can do as they please. Jang however must be careful because as soon as his wife dies, he might be purged."

• north
• korea
• reforms
• kim
• jong-un
• jang
• song-taek
• power
• struggle