Kim Jong-il's ill-health delays Korean succession process
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korea's ruling party has delayed the start of a rare conference due to the health of its leader, Kim Jong-il, but his condition is not serious enough to cancel the meeting, South Korean television reported yesterday.
The Workers' Party (WPK) conference, which will bring together the secretive state's ruling elite for the first time in 30 years, was called in order to pick a new leadership and likely anoint an heir to Kim – likely to be his youngest son, Kim Jong-un – as the leader's health deteriorates. The meeting had been due to start anytime between 1 and 15 September.
With North and South Korea still technically at war, regional powers are anxious to know what changes are likely to occur within the regime, including who will command its army of 1.2 million troops.
Kim, 68, is suspected of suffering a stroke in 2008, and failed to appear in public for months until 2009. He also looked frail during trips to China, the isolated North's only major supporter, over the past few months.
South Korea's YTN television cited an intelligence official in Seoul as saying Kim's health had worsened after a whirlwind five-day trip to China last month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments