Here's another take on the sacking of military chief Ri Yong-ho (via):
The ruling of North Korea by an undemocratic government over the past five decades is gradually paving the ground for an imminent political implosion.
The country’s new leader is known for his lack of experience which is seen by many as one of the most dangerous threats to the country’s stability. Kim Jong-un has spent many years outside North Korea and is unfamiliar with many influential people in the policy-making process. This, naturally, could lead to serious problems as generals, who for many years have played major role in the administration, may become dissatisfied....
The military chief was dismissed to remove opposition to Kim’s economic reforms, regarded by many as ineffectual. North Korea’s economy is in tatters and needs a miracle, not the Chinese model desired by Kim, to be fixed.
In a country where parties and political gatherings are prohibited and free speech is muzzled, small reforms are seen by many as pointless. Moreover, North Korea lacks the needed infrastructure to bring about economic and social change. The reforms in North Korea could be its undoing. Just look at Myanmar.
Where's this cogent analysis to be found? The Tehran Times. And the author? Iran’s former ambassador to China.
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