Declassified '94 Files Reveal Global Powers' Doubts on Kim Jong-il

Declassified '94 Files Reveal Global Powers' Doubts on Kim Jong-il
Recently disclosed documents reveal that specialists from both the United States and Russia doubted his ability to maintain control following his father's unexpected demise. Recently released diplomatic documents from Seoul show that significant global leaders were highly worried about North Korean Following leader Kim Il-sung's unexpected demise in 1994, his successor Kim Jong-il was described as "goofy" by a U.S. diplomat and predicted by a Russian analyst to lose command of the nation within twenty-four months. The documents, released by South Korea On Friday, the Foreign Ministry provided details about how officials around the globe hurriedly attempted to decipher Kim Il-sung’s death and evaluate his son’s capability to lead. Walter Mondale, who was serving as the U.S. ambassador to Japan and had previously been Vice President, was cited in the documents as stating: "Kim Jong-il appears somewhat eccentric and immature, and does not seem competent a…