Kim Jong Il is Ill

[Broken Arrow]

He's imposing a new currency. To what end?

The [old] money would be scrapped, in an apparent effort to make people more dependent on the government, in the most far-reaching of Pyongyang's recent moves to crack down on market activities perceived to weaken its power.

[kork13]

It's really quite simple... If you wipe out the previously gained wealth of everyone in the nation (except the $40-worth that they'll be allowed to trade), the everyone's on the same level playing field. It's a very crude and demoralizing way to forcibly impose communism. So I'm sure that is some part of the reasoning behind it...

Of course, a fair part of it may be that the entire Kim family is certifiably insane, and the world would probably be better for it if they were to suddenly find themselves in a deep, dark pit.

[jasonnoguchi]

Don't be surprised some super power nation will actually be doing the same thing just a few more years down the road...

[wincrasher]

Don't worry, friends of Kim and loyal party members will have their wealth protected. That's how you keep a choke-hold on power and create loyalty.

It's not that he's evil or bat-**** crazy. It's what 3rd world dictators do to remain dictators. Don't hate player, dude, hate the game!

[lovcom]

When is Kim going to die?

[jasonnoguchi]

^... the most important question to ask is, does he have children who might succeed him?

[kork13]

^... the most important question to ask is, does he have children who might succeed him?

sadly, yes -- he named his youngest son, Kim Jong Un (25 y/o), as his successor in June.

[jasonnoguchi]

^... there you go, it doesn't matter when he'll pass away anymore. The legacy continues...