Regardless of your politic view of the international crisis that is Wikileaks, the cable leaks have at least provided some pretty entertaining gossip.
The U.S. theorized about a potential replacement for North Korean leader Kim Jon-Il in 2008, due to his rumored health deterioration. A cable from September of that year contained a written note from a U.S. consulate in Shanghai, China to the U.S. State Department, picking apart the lack of experience of his three sons:
¶8. (C) There is consensus among xxxxx that, at least for the moment, none of KJI’s three sons is likely to be tapped to succeed him. xxxxx considers the two youngest sons, Kim Jong-chol and Kim Jong-un, far too inexperienced and incapable of effective governance. xxxxx, observing that KJI’s oldest son, Kim Jong-nam, is “too much of a playboy,” Kim Jong-chol is “more interested in video games” than governing, and Kim Jong-un is simply too young. Additionally, KJI had been groomed for many years to replace his father and former North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung before the latter passed away. In contrast, xxxxx, none of the sons has received similar preparatory treatment.
Burn! Based on their cumulative inexperience, the U.S government surmised that none of Kim Jon-Il’s sons would be able to take over for their father.
More importantly, I wonder what type of gamer Kim Jong-chol would consider himself to be. Sure, I could picture him playing Call of Duty: Black Ops, but maybe he’s more of a Mario Kart Wii kind of guy? The New York Times stated in 2005 that they believed Kim Jong-chol was “too effeminate” to take over the role. I guess that settles it; he’s a Bayonetta kind of guy.
