The only stories we get from NK concerning leadership is of constant purges.

As far as western media. Sure.

It's far more reasonable under the limited information available to suggest that loyalty is more valued over competence.

Loyalty and competence are not directly linked. Loyalty to the dynasty isn't directly linked to personal identity.

Especially given the past incidents of military officers shelling parts of SK and other nonsense.

There have been an equal amount of issues from both sides.

They're not doing their own thing.

They are trying to, but a constant threat of attack threatens it. So does sanctions. Preventing them from trade is the reason they cannot prosper.

Holding them in check and preventing any foreign commerce not only exacerbated the famine, it is the cause of the defensive stature of the nation.

They are the absolute last stand out of the cold war.

They have committed hostile acts. They sell arms to terrorists.

So has the United States.