For a deeper analysis into the apparent murder of Kim Jong-nam,... we have our Connie Kim
in the studio.
Connie,...
Kim Jong-nam's death is sending big shock waves to the international community.
It really is Daniel,... because he was the eldest son of the former leader Kim Jong-il,
and was once considered a potential successor.
But he spent much of his adult life in exile and it was his half-brother Kim Jong-un who
became leader, ruling with an iron fist since 2011.
Let's first take a look at Hye-sung's report as she explains how that came to be... and
what this incident means for the family dynasty.
Who was Kim Jong-nam?
Although he was Kim Jong-il's eldest son, he was considered the black-sheep in the Kim
family dynasty.
Born May 10th, 1971 in Pyongyang, he was the son to Kim Jong-il and his mistress Song Hye-rim.
He was expected to be the first in line to be leader of North Korea, but events took
a different turn.
Kim Jong-nam is thought have spend much of his childhood in Pyongyang living like a prince,
but during his teenage years, he spent time studying in Switzerland where he reportedly
learnt about democracy.
He's said to have tried to convince his father to reform North Korea too, and that's when
he started to fall out of favor with his father.
In May 2001, he was caught trying to enter Japan with his son and two women using a fake
passport to visit Disneyland Tokyo.
The much-publicized incident is said to have deeply embarrassed his father, cementing Kim
Jong-il's negative view of his eldest son.
Kim Jong-nam was essentially exiled from North Korea thereon and spent much of his time in
China and Macau, and eventually his half-brother Kim Jong-un was named heir-apparent in 2010.
Although rarely appearing in public, he would speak to reporters occasionally and make critical
comments about his brother and the regime.
There's currently no evidence of Kim Jong-un's involvement in his sibling's death, but suspicion
is high.
It's being considered a continuation of the purges that the leader has carried out since
he came to power six years ago.
He has so far reportedly executed at least 140 senior officials, including his uncle
and mentor Jang Sung-thaek in 2013.
Whether Kim Jong-nam would have posed a threat to Kim Jong-un is unclear.
Although he showed no signs of ambition to challenge his younger brother, Kim Jong-nam
had represented a question-mark of legitimacy and remained a potential thorn in the leader's
side.
Kim Hye-sung, Arirang News.
This has become an international case of intrigue,... which is bringing a lot of question marks
as to what triggered it.
At this point, there is no evidence that Kim Jong-un was behind the death of Kim Jong-nam,...
but most North Korea experts in Seoul, Washington and Tokyo are saying that it's certain...
that the unpredictable leader must have had it done to eliminate a perceived threat.
The fact that Kim Jong-nam is in the bloodline could be seen as a potential challenge to
the dictator.
In fact, as Kim Jong-un enters his sixth year in power, he's been in the process of having
himself idolized as his predecessors did.
NS1 "I think this is a typical case.
All the tyrants tend to kill their brothers, their in-laws, kin people around them because
they believe this is the only way to solidify his power base because he feels pressed by
all people."
Possibly adding to Kim Jong-un's hostility towards his half-brother,….
Kim Jong-nam had publicly criticized the transfer of power that brought Kim Jong-un to the top
of the regime, replacing their father.
Another possible motive being discussed is China's protection of Kim Jong-nam in case
Kim Jong-un dies.
PS3 "Kim Jong-nam has been China's favorite.
The Chinese government has been financially supporting Kim Jong-nam because Beijing looked
to him as the next North Korean leader in case an emergency occurs.
For Kim Jong-un, eliminating his half-brother favored by Beijing was necessary, especially
because he himself did not have good relations with China,"
Government sources say another reason for the killing was to prevent Kim Jong-nam from
going to South Korea.
A source who asked not to be named said Kim Jong-nam had been called back to Pyongyang
by the North Korean authorities for various reasons, but did not respond.
There are also reports that an attempt by Kim Jong-nam to enter the South led to his
murder.
Connie what's also noteworthy is the timing of it all.
In the same week as the late leader Kim Jong-il's birthday.
Why did the assassination happen so close to such an important date in North Korea?
Is there any correlation?
Right, there's been some speculation that this was tied to Kim Jong-un's father...
Kim Jong-il's 75th birthday.
Just to remind you, the North fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile last weekend, too.
But, South Korea's National Intelligece Service made it clear today... that the assassination
of Kim Jong-nam has been a standing order since Kim Jong-un came to power in late 2011.
In fact, when the North attempted to eliminate Kim Jong-nam in 2012, the head of South Korea's
intelligence agency said he sent the older Kim a letter to save his life.
It's the North's highest profile death since Jang Song-thaek... in 2013.
Who is left now in the Kim dynasty and are there any security threats against them at
this point?
A figure that stands out from the Kim dynasty is Kim Pyong-il , the current ambassador to
the Czech Republic.
Like his brother Jong-nam, Pyong-il spent more than 20 years working abroad at North
Korean embassies including those in Hungary, Finland and Poland.
NS2 "Ordinary North Koreans are not very aware
of Kim Jong-nam, but Kim Pyong-il is different.
He worked in the regime's People's Army as a potential successor and has quite a lot
of supporters."
Many in the Kim family are believed to be under surveillance.
Kim Sul-song , Kim Jong-un's half-sister, is reportedly locked up, and Kim Han-sol,
Jung-nam's son has reportedly been in France but his whereabouts are currently unknown.
It's hard to say for sure these people are danger,... but attention is also turning to
their whereabouts and whether they'll be affected in any way from Jung-nam's apparent murder.
The reign of fear continues.
Kim Jong-un executed more than 140 senior party and military officials since taking
power in late 2011.
How is this incident going to affect his power base?
Well if it's for sure that Kim Jong-un was behind the murder, it won't be easy to keep
that from reaching senior officials.
Finding out that he has killed his half-brother, most North Korea watchers say they'll perceive
a threat even bigger....
than when Kim Jong-un had his uncle Jang Song-thaek executed with an anti-aircraft gun.
NS3 "So this is a show of force showing that he
is on the throne so he is really emphasizing on the throne that nobody will be allowed
to challenge him in North Korea.
He is very instable, typical sign of instability and nobody should not challenge his power
with any means.
Just this month Kim dismissed the regime's spy agency chief Kim Won-hong....and the propect
is... more ruthless killings are on the way.
The next big news will be the official announcement from
the Malaysian government.
Thanks Connie for coming in today.