The Assassination of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is on The Table

The National Security Council has presented President Donald Trump with options to respond to North Korea's nuclear program — including putting American nukes in South Korea or killing dictator Kim Jong-un, multiple top-ranking intelligence and military officials told NBC News.

This doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, I have a suspicion that the assassination of Jong-un's half brother, Kim Jong-nam may have been step one in an assassination operation.

Indeed, at the time of the assassination in February, I wrote:

Speculation is that Kim Jong-un may have ordered the hit on his half-brother, but there is no direct evidence. It could just have easily been a larger nation-state hit to get the half-brother out of the line of succession if a hit is planned on Kim Jong-un, himself, if you get my drift.

Kim Jong-nam would have been the natural successor to his half-brother if Kim Jong-un was assassinated. This would be problematic for the United States. 

Jong-nam was friendly with China. They often provided him protection. If Jong-un was assassinated, with Jong-nam alive, it would mean a Chinese friendly successor in Noth Korea, the last thing the Unites States wants. But the stars aligned just right (hmm) and Jong-nam was taken out--clearing the way for the take out of Jong-un.

I am not going to loose any sleep if Kim Jong-um is taken out, Unstable kids with nukes make me very nervous but I still believe Kim Jong-um could be sweet-talked out of his nukes.

I wrote last month:

I will not shed any tears if North Korea is attacked. Thirty-three-year old nut jobs playing with nukes does scare me but it really shouldn't have to come to this. The kid could be sweet talked.

Trump seemingly has forgotten he wrote a book called The Art of the Deal. He is surrounded by too many generals. Not one of them comes close to displaying the wisdom, principle, and insight of  Major General Smedley Butler.

That said, any assassination attempt on the kid would be a very delicate operation. If the first assassination attempt fails, Japan and South Korea are going to for sure learn very quickly what kind of arsenal North Korea really does have because it will start falling on them.

And then, of course, there is the problem of succession if Kim Jong-un is taken out.

There is no doubt that the U.S, has a North Korean general or someone standing by to take the reins of power but that person better be able to consolidate power quickly or all hell could break loose. Chaos in Iraq and Libya will look in comparison to what could happen in North Korea like a Paula Abdul choreographed movement.

An attempt at sweet-talking Kim Jong-un makes much more sense but, in a way, Trump is an adult version of the Korean kid, so that is not going to happen.

-RW