# Potential North Korean coup attempt **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 3, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318 "2014-10-03T23:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/21 "2014-10-06T18:50:25Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > I have this horrible yet oddly-compelling image of him in some foreign hospital, and being accidentally switched with Rob Ford… Not possible - their haircuts are too different. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/22 "2014-10-06T18:54:35Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > Not possible - their haircuts are too different. > > 😃 [Hugo Agogo](http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110105113706/villains/images/1/19/Hugo_a-go-go.jpg) maybe, but only if he was a cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/23 "2014-10-06T23:43:23Z")
_Bends over to pull theory out of ass_ So here is what I’m wondering ‘could’ be happening. I’m sure Kim will show up soon and totally prove me wrong, but I wonder. There is an internal coup, and Kim has been tortured and/or killed. His sister has been informed of what happened to him and told ‘this will happen to you next if you don’t do what we tell you to’. The generals and bureaucrats take over the country, Kim ‘dies’ in the hospital and his sister takes over the country, but she is actually a figurehead who is being intimidated and ignored behind the scenes. That’d be cool. Probably not going to happen but it is an interesting theory. Either way, unless it leads to an actual improvement in the human rights and living standards of the people in North Korea, and/or reduces the hostility of the North Korean regime I don’t think it would matter much. A brutal military junta with a Kim figurehead isn’t really better than a brutal military junta with a Kim actually in charge. From what I’ve read of the regime (I think in the book ‘the real north korea’) the ruling class know the Kim worship is bullshit but they fear any leniency towards the people of NK will cause a massive revolt as the public are waking up to how badly they’ve been exploited and how the rest of the world isn’t nearly as evil. The ruling class my feel that w/o the concentration camps and the threats against family members for political crimes the regime would’ve fallen already. So no incentive to improve human rights. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/24 "2014-10-07T00:27:25Z")
I sorta doubt that they would admit that Kim (un) would have died in a hospital. As they surely have the best care in the world :rolleyes: From the books I’ve read, many North Koreans are starting to get some real news and world information. Cell phones smuggled in, dvds, cds and players. Gout is a real possibility. I’ve had it, and it is nearly impossible not to limp. They may be keeping him somewhat secluded so he can get over it, and not be a less than omniscient presence. Gods don’t limp. A couple of month makeover if you will. Perhaps they will give him a new hair cut and have him lose 20 lbs. It’s a miracle that only a Kim family member could overcome. That’s my guess. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/25 "2014-10-07T05:53:50Z")
Gout is easily controlled - if they can import anything (legally, let alone those unmarked planes going to/from Singapore(?)), it would be Indomethicin - hell, I’ve got a couple of dozen hits left. Then there’s Allopurinol (prophylactic for gout). If he’s limping, it is probably more serious than a 4x/day pill. I did notice the DPRK folks at the recent chat still had their little red Kim pins on. I would’ve loved to have seen them without those. So we haven’t forgiven dip shit’s elder brother (who was groomed for the job) for getting busted trying to enter Disney Japan (love it!) on a forged passport. But a half-brother just popped up in Paris - kinda like the Shah’s kid “happening” to be seen in DC. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/26 "2014-10-07T11:07:04Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > _Bends over to pull theory out of ass_ “Yo-Jong?” “He never Jongs about his work, 007…” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/27 "2014-10-07T15:16:33Z")
Perhaps the recent stories about Kim being so fat he broke his ankles are part of the coup? Like maybe an attempt to generate resentment within North Korea, so nobody minds much when they announce his death. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/28 "2014-10-07T17:18:08Z")
Where are the stories about Kim being so fat he broke his ankles coming from? Is that propaganda from the South? Is it information coming from insiders in the North? Or is it the official story that is being told to North Koreans? Most North Koreans barely have enough to eat. This story is clearly meant to draw a line between an average North Korean citizen and a morbidly obese leader. The Cuban heels are insulting because it indicates that he uses artificial means to make himself look stronger and more imposing - but in reality is much weaker. And finally, the broken ankles prove that he’s fallible. The story is clearly propaganda, I’m just not clear on who’s hearing it. I think it’s also telling that we still haven’t seen Kim after these rumors started swirling. Wouldn’t it be important for him to be seen working and running the country so that this story would be put to rest? Coup or not, something significant is happening. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/29 "2014-10-07T18:47:13Z")
So you think there really is something going down? Can we please please PLEASE make sure Dennis Rodman is visiting his BFF in Pyongyang when the shit hits the fan? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/30 "2014-10-07T18:51:26Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > So you think there really is something going down? There’s no way to know. People who act like they’re sure are either full of it or have agendas. Unfortunately that’s how it is with North Korea. Even ‘observers’ of the country are often working from information that is badly out of date or comes from unreliable sources. You might remember that a few years ago lots of people thought Kim Jong-un wasn’t really in charge and his uncle was calling the shots, and then he had his uncle killed. I know it’s a boring answer, but you just have to wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/31 "2014-10-07T19:16:39Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > So you think there really is something going down It’s extremely important for a leader of a country to be seen leading. If there’s any question at all that a country’s legitimate leader is no longer in charge then the normal reaction in every other country on Earth would be for that leader to demonstrate that he’s still in control. From North Korea, we’re met with silence. But North Korea is so abnormal that the abnormal is normal so who can say for sure? But I can think of very few reasons where a healthy, strong and secure Kim Jong Un would stay hidden with these rumors flying about. If there was a pool in Vegas I’d bet on him not being in power. Then again, I’ve lost plenty of bets too. > [@Diceman](#): > > Can we please please PLEASE make sure Dennis Rodman is visiting his BFF in Pyongyang when the shit hits the fan? 😃 I’ll throw in 5 bucks towards his seat ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/32 "2014-10-08T22:49:22Z")
Now North Korea admits for the first time that it has labor camps. > **[North Korea admits use of labor camps](http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/10/8/north-korea-acknowledgeslaborcamps.html)** > > At the UN an official said ‘reform through labor detention camps’ exist but denied Pyongyang operates prison camps Something is going on, but I don’t know what. Kim disappearing, the media reporting on his health (they didn’t report Jong Il’s health problems), the surprise visit by #2 and #3 to SK, the admission of labor camps, a potential lockdown in Pyongyang, etc. A lot of people are waiting to see if Kim dong chong shows up at the parade on Oct 10th. If not, then that adds to the idea that something has changed. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/33 "2014-10-08T22:51:12Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Can we please please PLEASE make sure Dennis Rodman is visiting his BFF in Pyongyang when the shit hits the fan? 😃 I’d be afraid he’d come out of it running the country. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/34 "2014-10-09T15:33:18Z")
Like that would be worse? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/35 "2014-10-09T15:44:36Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > I’ll throw in 5 bucks towards his seat Thanks. As of this moment, there is ZERO Chance of any of us scoring a comped NBA seat. EVER. Sure, I like football better, but _That’s Not The Point!_😛 …so, anyone named Mara or Tisch need yard work done? _will rake for Sunday tix_ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/36 "2014-10-09T15:53:09Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Like that would be worse? This. While Rodman would still probably rape the country for the luxuries in his own life, I doubt he would send whole families to labor camps for papa dissing him. I suspect he is used to that. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/37 "2014-10-09T16:15:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > This. While Rodman would still probably rape the country for the luxuries in his own life, I doubt he would send whole families to labor camps for papa dissing him. > > I suspect he is used to that. We’re talking about a man who wears wedding dresses. In public. I certainly hope he’s used to a certain amount of dissing. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/38 "2014-10-09T17:16:51Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Thanks. > > As of this moment, there is ZERO Chance of any of us scoring a comped NBA seat. EVER. > > Sure, I like football better, but _That’s Not The Point!_😛 > > …so, anyone named Mara or Tisch need yard work done? _will rake for Sunday tix_ I may be wrong, but I think **Frazzled** meant that he/she would chip in $5 toward a ticket to buy Rodman a seat on a flight to NK. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/39 "2014-10-09T17:35:21Z")
Maybe he broke his ankles wearing high heels. I understand they can be difficult to walk in. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318/40 "2014-10-09T20:30:49Z")
In a way, KJU is like the boy king Edward VI of England. Edward inherited the throne at age 9, and passed away 6 years later. Edward was surrounded by council members who each wanted to be the power behind the throne, and they were constantly plotting against each other. KJU became Glorious Leader mainly because he was the least disliked of KJI’s children. No doubt plenty of NK generals wanted to make KJU their puppet, and decided to coalesce long enough to oust KJU’s uncle and feed him to the dogs. Like Edward, KJU was probably brought up to obey the council. Stress may have been a factor in Edward’s death, and KJU is undergoing a similar dilemma. He overeats when he can’t escape the council’s machinations. He’s under constant pressure from their Ministry of Propaganda to act and appear a certain way, and finds no friends around him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-north-korean-coup-attempt/700318.md?page=3)