Execution gives Kim Jong Un firm grip on China ties: scholar
ROC Central News Agency
2013/12/13 23:15:30
Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take charge of his country's dealings with China following his uncle's execution, a local scholar forecast Friday.
Liu Teh-hai, head of the Department of Diplomacy at National Chengchi University, said the execution of Jang Song Thaek, Kim's uncle and North Korea's No. 2 figure, will pave the way for Kim to lead his country's negotiations with China.
Jang, who was previously seen as Kim's mentor in helping him consolidate power following his father Kim Jong Il's death in December 2011, was executed Thursday as a traitor for trying to seize supreme power, according to the Pyongyang-based Korean Central News Agency.
Liu, an expert in Northeast Asian affairs, said Kim has long hoped to attract more Chinese investment in North Korea and was dissatisfied with Jang's performance in this area.
'Over the past two years, Jang dominated North Korea's engagement with China, and Kim thought that Jang had not done well in introducing Chinese capital into North Korea,' Liu said.
While some East Asian affairs experts are concerned about Jang's execution possibly having a negative impact on North Korea-China ties, Liu said he did not share such a view.
On the contrary, he said, Jang's death could facilitate Kim's control of negotiations with China.
'I don't think Jang's execution will worsen Pyongyang-Beijing ties,' Liu said, adding that he believes that North Korea could speed up its economic reforms following Jang's death.
(By Tsai Su-jung and Sofia Wu)
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