"Fourth Kim" considered too pop, and Korea is uncertain
by Joseph Yun Li-sun
Kim Han-sol, 16, enrolled by the dictator of North Korea in an international school in Bosnia. But photographs on social networks reveal his very "trendy" image, triggering debate in Korea.
Seoul (AsiaNews) - The photographs of the young Kim Han-sol, grandson of the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il, are the source of heated debate across the entire Korean peninsula. The boy, son of the dictator’s eldest son reveal a trendy youngster: according to the newspapers in the South, a sign of "mental deterioration" of his grandfather, who "would never have allowed such a thing before."
Han-sol, 16, was enrolled for the academic year 2013 at the United World College in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. His particular course of study is titled "How to rebuild a country after conflict."
The enrolment is of particular value, given that almost all third-generation Kims - the children of the "Dear Leader" - studied in Switzerland. The fact that the fourth generation is being sent to a different country (and for very specific studies) shows a change of course and perhaps the regime’s concern for the future.
Immediately upon confirmation of enrolment, the hunt for images of the "fourth Kim" began in Korea, accustomed to the family’s normal reserve - or pathological secrecy - the newspapers of the South were surprised to find three images of the boy. The surprise increased on seeing that the young man's hair is artificially coloured and his clothes quite trendy.
After some initial skepticism about the real identity of Han-sol, other details have emerged: the pictures were in fact posted on several social networks, where the boy exchanged explicit messages of love and declared his interests included "the Eternal president Kim Il-sung, the dear leader Jong-il, the great North Korean people. "
According to some analysts, "the photographs reveal the senile dementia of the dictator, who in other years kicked his first-born out because of his frivolity." Others believe that this policy falls in line with an attempt to "modernize" the country, one of the most archaic in the world, in view of economic and perhaps political openings.
Han-sol, 16, was enrolled for the academic year 2013 at the United World College in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. His particular course of study is titled "How to rebuild a country after conflict."
The enrolment is of particular value, given that almost all third-generation Kims - the children of the "Dear Leader" - studied in Switzerland. The fact that the fourth generation is being sent to a different country (and for very specific studies) shows a change of course and perhaps the regime’s concern for the future.
Immediately upon confirmation of enrolment, the hunt for images of the "fourth Kim" began in Korea, accustomed to the family’s normal reserve - or pathological secrecy - the newspapers of the South were surprised to find three images of the boy. The surprise increased on seeing that the young man's hair is artificially coloured and his clothes quite trendy.
After some initial skepticism about the real identity of Han-sol, other details have emerged: the pictures were in fact posted on several social networks, where the boy exchanged explicit messages of love and declared his interests included "the Eternal president Kim Il-sung, the dear leader Jong-il, the great North Korean people. "
According to some analysts, "the photographs reveal the senile dementia of the dictator, who in other years kicked his first-born out because of his frivolity." Others believe that this policy falls in line with an attempt to "modernize" the country, one of the most archaic in the world, in view of economic and perhaps political openings.
.png)
See also
