The Hereditary System of North Korea’s Kim Family: Analysis

News Analysis  North Korea’s top echelon has recently seen some new developments, with Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter, Kim Ju-ae, hailed as the “top leader” by the official media. Political observers suggest that it may be intended to declare that the Kim family has identified the future heir and leader of the regime. The main challenge contemporary autocratic regimes face, particularly those of a communist nature, is the seamless transfer of ultimate power. Failure to establish legitimacy in this process often leads to systemic collapse and ensuing social unrest. So, is it a way out for North Korea to adopt the age-old method of inheriting power through family lineage? Can other autocratic regimes, such as the Communist China, follow suit?...