Kim Jong Il's death demands 'vigilance': Bildt
Published: 19 Dec 11 09:01 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/38016/20111219/
The fact that the death of Kim Jong Il wasn't announced until two days after the North Korean dictator had died is a sign of the “uncertainty” in the region, Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt said on Monday.
- Bildt welcomes China's new Arctic Council status (15 May 13)
- Bildt disarms nuke critics in shock radio show call (6 May 13)
- Bildt accused of leaking secrets to the US (15 Mar 13)
“We don't know what it will lead to, but history has taught us that dictatorships are never more unsettled than in stages such as this,” Bildt wrote.
“How this might manifest itself is something about which we can only speculate.”
Kim's death was delivered by a weeping news presenter on North Korean state television.
According to the Associated Press, North Korea called the late leader's son, Kim Jong Eun, who is in his twenties, the “great successor” and urged North Koreans to follow his leadership.
Bildt referenced a March 2010 incident in which a South Korean ship was sunk in what was believed to be an attack carried out by North Korea, cautioning that “it's not possible to rule out that this pattern will be repeated”.
“There is good reason for the increased vigilance which has been reported this morning by Seoul as well as Tokyo,” wrote Bildt, adding that there is good reason to believe China will also do what it can to “ensure stability in the succession in Pyongyang.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Stockholm riots spread west on sixth night
A sixth straight night of unrest blighted several Stockholm suburbs on Friday night, spreading briefly to the city of Örebro, 160 kilometres to the west. READ () »
Two cars collide as elk gives birth on road
Two cars collided on a road between Trollhättan and Vänersborg in western Sweden on Friday afternoon due to an elk having chosen the unusual spot to give birth to a calf. READ () »
Stockholm's not burning
With international media swooping on the Stockholm riots from every angle, The Local's Oliver Gee explains why Stockholm is not burning, and how the story has been blown out of proportion. READ () »
Stockholm riots: causes and consequences
After five nights of rioting throughout the outskirts of Stockholm, many in Sweden and elsewhere are trying to make sense of it all. The Local spoke to a mix of commentators and local politicians to get their views. READ () »
Swedish firms 'clueless' about foreign graduates
As white-collar union Saco slammed Sweden for not helping well-educated foreigners into the labour market, The Local spoke to researcher Josefin Edström about the disconnect between foreign professionals and Swedish employers. READ () »
US and UK issue travel warnings for Sweden
The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Sweden after arsonists tore through several Stockholm suburbs, while Americans have been warned to stay out of the affected areas by their embassy. READ () »
Swedish riot police to call in reinforcements
With Swedish police set to call in reinforcements in an attempt to get the now five-day-old wave of arson and vandalism under control, Sweden's image abroad may have been tarnished. READ () »
Quiz: 'A Swedish city with a pulse'
For this week's secret location picture gallery quiz, we head to a city that's among the top 20 in terms of population size. Can you guess which one it is in nine clues? READ () »
- 23/05 Minister: Stockholm riots 'not youth versus society' »
- 23/05 Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser »
- 19/05 Christian Democrat support drops: poll »
- 16/05 Swedish lobbying boom prompts regulation calls »
- 16/05 More Swedes in favour of joining Nato: poll »
- 15/05 Bildt welcomes China's new Arctic Council status »
- 15/05 Borg drops resistance to EU fiscal stimulus »
- 14/05 Sweden is important to Afghanistan: Kerry »
- 14/05 Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt »
- 13/05 Extend Sweden's Afghan mission past Nato's: Bildt »
| 24/05 | Accounts Payable to Bosch RexrothAcademic Work Danmark | Malmö |
| 24/05 | Analog Field Application EngineerArrow EMEA | Kista, STHM |
| 24/05 | Business Analyst, KarlskronaCapgemini Sverige AB | Karlskrona, BLE |
| 24/05 | CAE-Engineers within Solid MechanicsRandstad AB | Linköping or Växjö or Västerås, VTM |
| 24/05 | Corporate Sports Sales Executivesmarcus evans (Scandinavia) ltd. | Stockholm |
| 24/05 | Development Engineer ? Control SystemsExperis Engineering | SKÅ |
- 25/05 Bundesbank chief: allow eurozone defaults »
- 24/05 Fan wants Bayern ticket-Oktoberfest beer swap »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 25/05 Lagarde completes second day of questioning »
- 25/05 Mobile app to help fight against racism in France »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 24/05 Tibetan exiles berate Chinese rights record »
- 24/05 Chinese premier lauds trade deal in Bern »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- Corporate Sports Sales Executives
- INTERNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
- Online Functional Designer
- Regional Sales Manager - Nordic EMEA (Mobility)
- Accounts Payable to Bosch Rexroth
- Interim Business Controller
- IT Operations Coordinator - Live Casino
- Microsoft AX 2012 Production Consultant
- Senior IT Project Manager, Husqvarna
- Technical Expert - Antenna and
"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »
- 23/5 09:23 REFLECTIONS OF A TWITTER VIRGIN…. (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 20/5 15:25 Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- Corporate Sports Sales Executives
- INTERNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE
- Online Functional Designer
- Regional Sales Manager - Nordic EMEA (Mobility)
- Accounts Payable to Bosch Rexroth
- Interim Business Controller
- IT Operations Coordinator - Live Casino
- Microsoft AX 2012 Production Consultant
- Senior IT Project Manager, Husqvarna
- Technical Expert - Antenna and
- 09:52 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 09:33 Canada vs. Sweden
- 07:41 Phone landline installation
- 23:14 Cleaning business in Sweden
- 21:43 Moving to Sweden from England
- 20:24 Moving to Sweden (Questions) HELP
- 19:21 Questions regarding partner visa
- 16:29 Adobo- Filipino Recipe
- 12:33 Is it safe to keep money at forexbank?
- 04:24 Gym memberships without a personnummer?
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
Is there anything worthy of ridicule or disrespect?
We offer our sympathies to the dearly departed and innocent. To those whose inhumanity and crimes have earned them death, we offer our gratitude to death for taking out the trash.
Thank you for reminding me of the sophisticated respect due this bringer of death by rape, torture and famine to hundreds of thousands of people.
Now you've put me straight on Kim Jong Ill, would you remind me how much respect I owe Pol Pot, Chairman Mao, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler because, being as unsophisticated as you say I am, I just don't respect them either.
Where did I go wrong Lucky? How can I be sophisticated like you?
funny enough north koreas with a dictatorship is actually a safer country than iraq and afghanistan with democracy
Some more of my thoughts on Kim Jong-un: http://bit.ly/twvRNO
The beauty of a constitutional form of government is that these uncomfortable moments need not be violent.
When a large group of runaways escaped to China seeking a better life (better life???), Dear Leader had them strung together with a wire through their clavicle to march them back home where they were to be punished. DO NOT TALK TO ME ABOUT DISRESPECTING THE DEAD BEFORE YOU START TALKING ABOUT RESPECTING THE LIVING VICTIMS OF THIS DEAD MONSTER and how dare you insult fellow Swedes with your unworthy opinion.