North Korean Leader Kim Jong il decides not to make the same mistake as Saddam – Democracy in North Korea?
Kiran Jha, Special Correspondent
November 18, 2004

North Korean leader Kim Jong il finally decided not to make the same mistake a s Saddam. It can dangerous to portray oneself as staunch anti-American and try to rule a country that really has no real friend. Saddam’s biggest problem was he was over confident about what America and allies would do! He made a mistake in 1990 when he occupied Kuwait and stayed there for a while in spite of American warnings. He again made a mistake in not opening the doors for UN inspectors wide enough to really reveal that he did not have Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Kim Jong II of North Korea decided it is better to step down than be challenged by the world. Sources say his age and vigor are not favoring either. 

According to Stratfor, a global think-tank and strategic political analyst, portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il are being removed from public sites in North Korea continue to circulate. The removal of the official portraiture, which might have begun as early as August, could signal another shift in Pyongyang's attempts at economic and political evolution. Even more intriguing is the prospect that the missing pictures, if true, could signal the end of plans for familial succession once Kim is no longer the leader.

It is possible a negotiated peace settlement may be reached with US with Kim’s voluntary departure from power and allowing North Korea to go for a democratic regime elected by people like in Afghanistan.