Korea Times
US stance on new NK leader still uncertain
Although North Korea has already announced its new leader, many raise a hypothetical question -- if the U.S. holds summit talks with North Korea, who will be President Barack Obama's counterpart?
The U.S. government has been hesitant to directly mention Kim Jong-un, the third son of the late leader Kim Jong-il. The junior Kim, in his late 20s, has been billed by Pyongyang's state media as the "Great Successor."
Western media, quoting multiple sources, raised the possibility of a power-sharing leadership in the secretive communist nation, given Kim Jong-un's inexperience and lack of time for preparations to take the helm.
Issuing a carefully worded statement for North Koreans earlier this week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose the expression "new leadership." In daily press briefings, department officials have never named Kim Jong-un.
On Wednesday, the White House first pinpointed the reported next leader.
"Kim Jong Il had designated Kim Jong Un as his official successor, and at this time we have no indication that that has
changed," Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters in response to a question over the rumors of a collective leadership in the North.
A diplomatic source, well informed of the Seoul-Washington relations, cautioned media against attaching a special meaning to Carney's statement.
"The press secretary seems to have accidentally mentioned Kim Jong-un," the source said, requesting anonymity.
Reponding to the question, however, Carney read a press guidance, not speaking impromptu.
White House officials advised media to take Carney's wordings as they are.
"We don't have anything to add to Jay's comments," a senior White House official told Yonhap News Agency Thursday on the condition of anonymity. (WASHINGTON = Yonhap)
http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/12/182_101427.html
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