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| Kim Pyong-il, right, was removed from North Korea's political scene after his power struggle with Kim Jong-il over selecting a successor to founding leader Kim Il-sung, left, in the 1970s. / Yonhap |
By Hong Dam-young
North Koreans want Kim Jong-un's uncle, Kim Pyong-il, to replace Kim Jong-un and end his "reign of terror," according to Hong Kong-based magazine Yazhou Zhoukan.
The magazine said Kim Pyong-il ― former leader Kim Jong-il's half-brother and also Kim Jong-un's uncle ― was regarded by North Koreans at home and abroad as preferred candidate to take over the North Korean leadership, Yonhap news agency reported Monday.
The report said many North Koreans ― frightened and dissatisfied with Kim Jong-un's brutal dictatorship ― wanted a new leader, and Kim Pyong-il was the most mentioned candidate.
"The country's high-ranking officials are eyeing Kim Pyong-il as well, because they are threatened by the leader's executions of high-profile officers," the report said.
According to the report, Kim Pyong-il, in semi-exile as North Korean ambassador to the Czech Republic, is perceived as a suitable leader because of his decency and open-mindedness.
The report also said Kim Pyong-il's neither pro-China nor pro-U.S. diplomatic position would enable him to deal with both countries, which would try to take control of the North once its regime fell.
Even at the "North Korean Defector World Conference" in Seoul on April 29, the agenda included establishing a North Korean government-in-exile with Kim Pyong-il as its first head.
The North Korean regime removed Kim Pyong-il from its political scene by exiling him to Europe after his power struggle with Kim Jong-il over selecting a successor of founding leader Kim Il-sung in the 1970s.
For decades, he has served as ambassador to Hungary, Finland, Poland, and most recently, the Czech Republic.
He is still considered a threat to Kim Jong-un, who sent some party members to the Czech Republic to keep an eye on Kim Pyong-il in 2014.
"I heard that Kim Pyong-il resembled Kim Il-sung a lot ― that's why Kim Jong-il was so jealous of him," a North Korean defector told The Korea Times in Seoul.
"But many North Koreans are not aware of his existence because of the country's efforts to hold back information."
Some said it was "unlikely" and "unrealistic" for North Koreans to hope Kim Pyong-il would take over from Kim Jong-un.
A North Korean defector familiar with the Kim family's inner circle said, "Hoping Kim Pyong-il will become the next leader is completely groundless, considering his background."
"He is the son of Kim Il-sung and his ‘second wife' Kim Song-ae.
"There is no way Kim Pyong-il can overcome the high barriers of the pure bloodline of Kim's family."
Meanwhile, reports say Kim Jong-un has ordered about 64 public executions, mostly high-ranking officials.
They include former defense chief Hyon Yong-chol ― reportedly blown to bits by an anti-aircraft gun after falling asleep at a meeting ― and army chief Ri Yong-ho, reportedly executed in 2012.
