Mick Hartley

From the Daily NK:

An inside source has reported that a large amount of printed matter criticizing the third generation succession and Kim family has been distributed in Pyongsung, and that the authorities are working to bring the situation under control.

The source from South Pyongan Province explained, "A disturbance has been created by a one-page flyer criticizing the third generation succession and more than 60 copies of a booklet about Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il which were distributed in front of Pyongsung station at the beginning of this month."

"National Security Agency and People’s Safety Ministry agents are gathering the chairpersons of people's units to tell them that people who see the flyers and leaflets must report it, emphasizing cultivating the ideology of the people," the source added. However, he said the official investigation has not met with success. A joint investigation headquarters has been set up in Pyongsung and inspectors are in the process of trying to collect the critical materials; however, allegedly only a small number have been found. The source explained that this is because, "Those who have seen them are hiding them out of fear of the consequences."

According to inside sources, such materials are increasingly appearing in places where large groups of people regularly gather, such as in marketplaces. Newly-formed riot squads are actively trying to deal with the issue, while the authorities are clamping down on activities along the border, working on the basis that the materials are being produced in China and smuggled in.

It's all part of the drip…drip…drip wearing away at the Kim regime. I've made the comparison to Hans Fallada's Alone in Berlin before: this time it's perhaps even more apposite.

From the flyer:

"Kim Jong Il, an old man with few days left to live due to a stroke and complications, is making a frantic effort to pass power down to his youngest son Kim Jong Eun, who is 26 years old this year."

"It is bitter enough that that this country has been turned into a living hell by 65 years of Kim Jong Il’s incompetent, iron fisted rule; however, scheming to bring to fruition the third generation royal hereditary succession to a child, Kim Jong Eun, by giving him an important title is intolerable."