Since Kim Jong Il passed away in December 2011, concerns about the stability of the North Korean leadership have been numerous, but so far the smooth continuation of political and economic affairs has been a key priority.
The North Korea-watching community has therefore been taken aback by the rumored removal of Jang Sung Thaek, a figure with deep connections to the Kim family and involvement in maintaining administrative and economic matters.
Since Kim Jong Il passed away in December 2011, concerns about the stability of the North Korean leadership have been numerous, but so far the smooth continuation of political and economic affairs has been a key priority.
The North Korea-watching community has therefore been taken aback by the rumored removal of Jang Sung Thaek, a figure with deep connections to the Kim family and involvement in maintaining administrative and economic matters.
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Nicolas Levi is a senior researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He is the author of eight books related to North Korea and a consultant on Korean issues for international organizations. You can follow him on Twitter.