Lil’ Kim Jong Il

The Dear Leader seen here in better days.

And now?

From Google News:

Kim's consort: a key player in North Korea?

By HYUNG-JIN KIM – 1 day ago

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Kim Jong Il's companion and former secretary is emerging as a key player in the communist nation after the autocratic leader's stroke.

South Korean officials are keeping a close eye on Kim amid some intelligence reports that she's not only nursing the ailing leader but also is signing official documents on his behalf.

Experts believe the communist leader is retaining a firm grip on power, running the nation from his bed with the help of military and communist party chiefs in line with the nation's "songun," or military first, policy. But they are not discounting the role of the woman who is seen by some as the de-facto first lady.

"She is the closest person personally to Kim Jong Il," said Marcus Noland, a North Korea expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. "In some ways, she's the one guarding the bedroom or hospital door. She would be in a position to convey his preferences."

Kim, 66, reportedly suffered a stroke last month and is recuperating following emergency brain surgery — though North Korean officials deny the communist leader, who was last seen in public more than a month ago, is ill.

…

Kim Jong Il was groomed for 20 years to take over as leader, finally assuming the mantle after his father's death in 1994 in the communist world's first hereditary transfer of power. He has three sons — Jong Nam, Jong Chul and Jong Un — but does not appear to have anointed any of them as his heir-apparent.

…

And Kim Ok may be poised to fill any void. Experts speculate the North Korean leader's dependence on her during his illness may further bolster her political clout.

"If Kim Jong Il can't communicate with others, her role will be larger," said Kang Jung-mo, a North Korea expert at Kyung Hee University.

Little is known about her. Kim Jong Il is believed to have had three wives before taking Kim Ok as his consort several years ago. She reportedly accompanied the leader on his secret visit to China in 2006.

She is said to be a pianist in her 40s who has served as the leader's secretary since the 1980s. Furthering the intrigue, Kim's late wife, Ko Yong Hi, — mother of his two younger sons — hand-picked Kim Ok to replace her when she was dying of cancer, according to South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.
…

He said top military officers are likely carrying out key functions — but that Kim Ok probably wields more power than any particular individual.
…

Paik noted the North's five top government organs — the National Defense Commission, the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, the Korean Workers' Party Central Military Commission, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet — all have pledged their loyalty.

All five sent messages on the 60th anniversary of North Korea's birth praising Kim as a "matchless patriot and an unparalleled great man who has led our republic along the road to victory and glory."

Top officials typically do not offer such effusive congratulations for the North Korean anniversary, and the gesture appears to be an overt pledge that Kim can count on their backing, experts said.
…

Well that's pretty fucked up.

I mean, just imagine the gales of humiliating laughter that would greet the secretive, paranoid power brokers behind some American political party if they actually tried to pretend it didn’t matter whether or not their doddering leader was gravely ill because there was a perky protégé with a razor-thin resume and a lust for power waiting in the wings?

Imagine how brainwashed a people would have to be

to buy that level of bullshit?