The power of 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il over North Korea appears to be fraying at the edges - and perhaps even eroding at the core. That's the conclusion from two recent events, one in the far reaches of the country near the Yalu River border with China, the other inside his own ruling elite.
North Korean border guards are known to be trigger-happy. Most recently, however, they struck the wrong target, killing three Chinese citizens reportedly making off with some copper wiring.
That's not sitting well with the Chinese, who provide North Korea with about 80 per cent of the food and other supplies needed to keep the economy on life support.
While the Chinese were protesting about this affront to relations, Kim was busy putting his brother-in-law, Jang Song-thaek, into the position of vice-chairman of the national defence commission.
Jang was already regarded as the second-most powerful man in North Korea. With this formal appointment, he will presumably guarantee that Kim's third son, Kim Jong-un, succeeds him.
But why did Kim Jong-il feel the need to push through this appointment now? He is recovering from a stroke suffered nearly two years ago and has diabetes. He is hoping to hang on until 2012, by which time he should be ready to introduce Kim Jong-un, now 27, as his rightful heir.
But those in the next layer of power may have different ideas. Jang's authority depends almost entirely on that of Kim Jong-il.