North Korean Uncertainty

In recent weeks, there was a large wave of speculation about the whereabouts of Kim Jong-un, the totalitarian dictator of the world's worst nation, North Korea. Kim had not been seen in public since early September, and had missed a few major events in North Korea, which led to questions about his continuing role in the state and his health. He had been rumored to be suffering from gout, obesity, fractured ankles due to the obesity, and a myriad of other illnesses. While he reappeared in the news today (albeit with a cane), it put to rest much of the extreme speculation about his health, and whether or not he'd been deposed. However, the questions about his health and status were intertwined with those relating to the role of North Korea in the 21st century, namely regarding its economy. As the economy globalizes more than it probably ever has before, namely through products such as telecommunications, social media and the like. Also, Chinese apprehension towards North Korea's bellicose attitude has increased in recent years. That, coupled with a sense that Chinese backing of North Korea is not yielding any benefits, has increased rumors of regime change and reform in North Korea, with particular emphasis on it transforming into a China-esque state-capitalist regime. However, this is pure speculation at its core, and with Kim's recent reappearance, it its likely just a result of health problems on his part. However, the question of North Korea and how long its totalitarian Stalinist dictatorship can last is one of the most important political questions today.