Is Kim Jong Un the reformer and Jang Song Thaek the reactionary?



Opinion Is Kim Jong Un the reformer and Jang Song Thaek the reactionary? Despite execution of Jang, "practical problem solving rather than moralizing judgment" should guide approach to N. Korea Moon Chung-in January 24, 2014 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun Professor Moon Chung-in is joining NK News as a bi-monthly contributor. Here are his latest thoughts on North Korea from The World Post: One of the most striking pieces of news in 2014 was the ruthless execution of Jang Song-taek, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was seen to be the young leader’s guardian as well as the country’s second most powerful man in the country. Prior to his execution, he was expelled from the Korea Workers’ Party (KWP) for “anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts” and then executed for treason, self-idolization, economic mismanagement and corruption. His © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Opinion

Is Kim Jong Un the reformer and Jang Song Thaek the reactionary?

Despite execution of Jang, "practical problem solving rather than moralizing judgment" should guide approach to N. Korea

Moon Chung-in January 24, 2014

Is Kim Jong Un the reformer and Jang Song Thaek the reactionary?

Rodong Sinmun

Professor Moon Chung-in is joining NK News as a bi-monthly contributor. Here are his latest thoughts on North Korea from The World Post:

One of the most striking pieces of news in 2014 was the ruthless execution of Jang Song-taek, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was seen to be the young leader’s guardian as well as the country’s second most powerful man in the country.

Prior to his execution, he was expelled from the Korea Workers’ Party (KWP) for “anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts” and then executed for treason, self-idolization, economic mismanagement and corruption. His

About the Author

Moon Chung-in

Chung-in Moon is a professor of political science at Yonsei University. He served as Ambassador for International Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Republic of Korea. He served as Dean of Yonsei's Graduate School of International Studies and as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Asian Cooperation Initiative, a cabinet-level post. He has published over 40 books and 230 articles in edited volumes and such scholarly journals as World Politics, International Studies Quarterly, and the World Development. He was also appointed as a member of president-elect Roh Moo-hyun's high level delegation to the U.S. in 2003. Professor Moon has been a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, D.C.

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