Kim Jong - Il, Jong-Chol, Ko Yong-Hi, Jang Song-Taek and the rest of that crazy cast of North Korean characters.

North Korea's media confirmed this week that Kim Jong-Il is preparing to transfer power to one of his sons. It is not yet clear which son. It is also not yet clear when the transfer will take place.

This revelation follows months of unusual events in North Korea, leading to speculation that something unusual was in the wind. See my previous posts here and here.

Whatever the case, I am sure we haven't gotten the full story. Transfers of power in communist countries are often shrouded in mystery, preceeded by months (or even years) of speculation or precipitated by sudden crises that the authorities refuse to acknowledge - very much like the transfer of the anchor chair at CBS News.