FEMALE DICTATORS ARE RARE
Modern dictators are almost all men. Indira Gandhi briefly flirted with emergency rule in India, but that did not last long. And of course, there were female monarchs in history, such as Catherine the Great of Russia or Elizabeth I of England. But were Ju Ae to establish her rule and govern for decades as her male predecessors did, that would be exceptional.
The most likely alternative to Ju Ae is her aunt, Kim Yo Jung, who has been a very prominent – and very hawkish – voice in Kim’s government.
That hawkishness – her regular harsh rhetoric about South Korea and toughness toward the United States – likely endears her to the party and army, who both reject detente. Should Kim die unexpectedly, that could set up a power struggle between the two women’s factions. That too would be unique.
This may not come to pass. Kim is rumoured to have a 15-year-old son, who would be the obvious selection for a male-dominated regime. However, the boy has never been seen in public. Little is known about his health or political disposition.
In North Korea’s opaque system, potential rivals or alternative heirs have historically faced marginalisation or removal. If he is not introduced to the public soon, he may lose ground in any future succession process.
Curiously enough, the world’s most repressive state appears on the cusp of a “progressive” leadership selection.
Robert Kelly is a professor of political science at Pusan National University. He writes a monthly column for CNA, published every second Monday.
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