Choi Jin-wook, senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification goes into detail. Speculation, he says, focuses on the role of Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the national defense commission and husband of Kim Jong-il’s younger sister. Mr. Jang, he says, may be the individual exercising the greatest influence on Kim Jong-un whom he calls, “inexperienced in party affairs and government.”
As the extreme changes in the political/military segments are taking place, Kim Jong Un has been seen in the North Korean media. State TV last weekend saw the leader watching a concert, and visiting with schoolchildren in the company of an unnamed young lady 
who was described as “carrying herself much like a first lady.”
Let’s consider the opinion of one last expert. Professor Yang Moo Jin a professor at the University of North Korean Studies told Bloomberg News, "All high-ranking officials customarily remain in service throughout, regardless [of] sicknesses, and hold their posts until they die. The firing of Ri means the end of the country's hawkish 'military-first' policy putting the troops before any other policy objective, and possibly the beginning of governance more focused on improving the economy."
Photo credits: Korean Times, sulekha.com, The New York Times
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
Interesting collection of insights. Thanks, John.
2 - John Lake
Here's some happy news from the chaos capitol of the world. Kim Jong Un (Kim the Younger) MARRIED THE GIRL! as discussed in the above article! Things to remember: Ri Sol-Ju !
"SEOUL, South Korea --- North Korea’s state-run news media announced on Wednesday that its young leader Kim Jong-un had married, and identified his wife as Ri Sol-ju."
3 - Igor
Oh good! Now we can watch the degeneration and collapse of the North Korean Dynasty through the inexorable soap Opera of "Dream Of The Red Chamber".