News circulated on 12th February where North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, appointed his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as heir. On the 24th of the same month, his sister, Kim Jo Yong, was promoted to head a major department within the ruling Workers’ Party. Although the daughter is set as heir, it seems that a Game of Thrones strategy is being played in Choson (North Korea).
Choson (also spelled Joseon) is what North Koreans call North Korea. The name comes from the last and longest ruling Joseon dynasty (1392-1897) and is adopted to invoke traditional and ancestral legitimacy which emphasises on the history and cultural continuity of the peninsula.
Kim Ju Ae is equivalent to Tommen Baratheon of Westeros, who ascended the throne at a young age. Kim Ju Ae’s authority is largely symbolic with her appearances at missile launches, military parades, and state ceremonies serve less to project her personal power and more to reinforce the sacred bloodline of the Kims. Although, she lacks the political and military experience necessary, her inheritance is more emblem than instrument, a crown designed to inspire loyalty and awe rather than command compliance. Moreover, she still has a lot of life to go through making it an opportunity for other candidates to take over the nation if she does not come of age of power.
Kim Jo Yong is equaled as Cersei Lannister who guarded Tommen during his period as king. Kim Yo Jong’s recent promotions give her oversight of policy and propaganda and a position as the true wielder of authority. Her ranks ensures that she will be taking care of various businesses that the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea deals with on a daily basis. She is one of the candidates who is looking forward to ascending the throne of Choson, given the opportunity, and lead the nation with a feminine hand.
If Kim Ju Ae is to come into power, given she is of age when Kim Jong Un is incapacitated, Kim Jo Yong will not have enough power to overthrow the daughter. The sister would then have to put her effort into propaganda warfare by portraying the daughter as the true successor.
But if the reverse happens, where the daughter is not of age when Kim Jong Un is incapacitated, there is a chance of the sister taking advantage of her role in the Workers’ Party and convince the members to vote for her favour in becoming the next leader of Choson.
This one alienated nation is technically witnessing a Game of Thrones moment. With time, we will see headlines such as: ‘The Battle of the Kims.’ Or else, it will be a Cersei and Tommen moment the meantime.
The writer is a Sub-Editor, Daily Times of Bangladesh
