Something is happening in North Korea. Maybe something very big, indeed. It is too early to tell, but we will stay posted.

Russia's state—run communication agency ITAR—TASS reported from Beijing quoting a diplomat in North Korea yesterday that pictures of the chairman of the DPRK National Defense Committee Kim Jong Il are being removed from public places in North Korea.

The news reported that foreigners who were recently invited to the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang noticed that only the late President Kim Il Sung's picture remains and that Chairman Kim's picture has been removed from the entrance.

They stated that on the wall where Chairman Kim's picture was originally placed, there remained yellowish trace, which seems to be all that was left after repainting the spot, and a nail.

The informed source also conveyed that more cases in which Chairman Kim's pictures were removed from places where they should be were observed, and it seems that although the reasons have not come to light, that a secret order to remove his pictures has been given within the North.
Other reports say he is in seclusion after the death of his favorite concubine and his regime is in turmoil after the reelection of President Bush.

HARDLINERS have tightened their political grip on North Korea while Kim Jong—il, the Stalinist state's dictator, has retreated into virtual seclusion after the death of his favourite consort from cancer.

Chinese and Western sources say the regime has prepared for a state of siege as it confronts a re—elected US administration under George W. Bush that is determined to break Pyongyang and disarm it of nuclear weapons.

As Japanese envoys tried to persuade the North Koreans last week to rejoin multinational talks, Mr Kim's absence from the scene led to speculation a debilitating power struggle might have paralysed the ruling group.

This followed the death of Koh Young—hee, a dancer who had provided Mr Kim with an heir—apparent to the world's only communist dynasty. "The loss of this woman was a blow," said a foreign diplomat. "But (US Democratic candidate) John Kerry's loss in the US election was a harder one. These are now very worried men."

Clarice Feldman   11 16 04

Douglas Hanson adds:

Maybe Kim Jong Il is suffering from PEST.  We could all pitch in and have a South Florida shrink provide a house call.