Pyongyang (AsiaNews) - The purges launched by Kim Jong-un, third son and dauphin of the dictator Kim Jong-il, "have the support of the majority of the population that believes it to be the only real way to combat excessive corruption. Everyone knows that next leaders maybe as greedy as the present ones, but at least the people can let off steam against the disgraced and desposed old officials”, a local source, anonymous for security reasons, told AsiaNews.

As the source explains, "Jong-un is simply following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who as soon as they came to power launched a violent decimation at the management level to eliminate political enemies and fill administrative ranks with their own followers. The difference is that the 27 year old is using the widespread loathing of the population to justify his purges, in short, he is blaming everything that has happened in the country on local administrators”.

Korean nationalism does not allow any criticism of the leaders in charge. According to "Juche", the socio-philosophical theory developed by Kim Il-sung, only those in power can guarantee the survival and independence of the country. The people, accustomed to decades of indoctrination, share this principle: "After the disastrous currency reform a few months ago, an idea of Kim Jong-il in person, people became even poorer, if that is even possible. Yet, a minor manager reported to be responsible, has had to pay the price for this error".