|
Right after North Korea conducted its nuclear test on Oct. 9 last year, the hermit nation¡¯s leader Kim Jong-il said, "I¡¯m going to be the longest-serving leader in the world. I can rule this nation till I¡¯m 80 or 90," according to a Japanese newspaper. Since then, any mention of the succession has been taboo in the North, the Mainichi Shimbun said Thursday.
The daily reported that Kim made the remarks during a gathering with senior members of North Korean Workers' Party in October, and those in attendance understood it as a warning not to mention a successor. Quoting remarks by an official close to the North Korean administration, the newspaper added that Kim gave orders to cancel his birthday celebrations this February.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
