Charles Armstrong : Kim Jong Il 's life was so mysterious there was even doubt about birth year . Father made him successor to forestall revolution that followed deaths of Mao , Stalin . Armstrong : Economics was one of Kim 's priorities , and North Korea suffered greatly . Performance of Kim 's son could decide the fate of North Korea 's economy .
Charles Armstrong : Kim Jong Il 's life was so mysterious there was even doubt about birth year . Father made Kim successor to forestall change that followed deaths of Mao , Stalin . Armstrong : Economics was one of Kim 's weaknesses , and North Korea suffered greatly . Performance of Kim 's son could decide the fate of North Korea 's dynasty .