Kim Jong Un article

It is just interesting to note the fact that the L.A. Times had something good to say about an “adversary” of the U.S. (i.e. North Korea). I am very glad to see that what was written took an objective view that also accounted for the very recent historical context in which Kim Jong Un finds himself (i.e. the fact that he brings to mind his grandfather’s image and policies, as opposed to his father’s, in the eyes of Koreans). What I was reminded of as I read this article was how Cuba underwent a very similar ordeal when Raúl Castro took Fidel’s position. A number of reforms were put into place with this change in Cuba’s leadership, and it seemed that every single one was met with much approval both internally as well as internationally. Obviously, North Korea’s reforms and changes may, in the end, be even more impacting on the population and the development of the country, since (as has already been pointed out) Kim Jong Un’s age and his exposure to life outside of Korea (albeit short-lived) already contrasts him from his father in a number of ways which have already been seen and which seems that more and more North Koreans are already anticipating. Last point: it is incredible that North Korea was able to accomplish the satellite launch when South Korea’s 20x stronger economy was not able to do so… Reminds me again of Cuba’s feats of being able to provide such things as universal healthcare and universal higher education, whereas in the empire there is nothing but fumble after fumble with these two points.