Jon Yong Jin Arrives in Havana

DPRK Ambassador to Cuba Jon Yong Jin (L) shakes hands with Cuban Vice President Maria Bejerano (R), whilst presenting his credentials on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)

On 13 February 2012, Jon Yong Jin presented his credentials to Cuban Vice President Gladys Bejerano (a.k.a. Gladys Maria Bejerano Portela).  For a number of years Jon served as vice chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, with a portfolio for science and technology.  According to ROK media Jon is a nephew of National Defense Commission Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek.  Jon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to Cuba by the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium in January 2012.  After presenting his letter, Jon met with Bejerano as well as Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez (a.k.a Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla).

Ambassador Jon (R) presents his letter to Maria Bejerano (L), one of Cuba's vice presidents on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)

KCNA reported on 18 February on Jon’s arrival in Cuba:

Gladis Maria Bejerano Portela, vice-president of the Council of State of Cuba accepted credentials from Jon Yong Jin, DPRK ambassador to his country, on Feb. 13.

He said: I, on behalf of the Cuban party, government and people, express once again deep condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il to our regret.

Kim Jong Il was a close friend of the Cuban people. He always paid deep attention to the steady development of the fraternal relations between Cuba and the DPRK.

We hope that the Korean people will register greater successes in the efforts to build a thriving socialist nation under the wise leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

The Cuban government will in the future, too, develop the friendly and cooperative relations in an overall way in all fields, cherishing deep the comradely obligation with the DPRK as intended by the supreme leaders of the two countries.

On 17 February 2012 Hyon Hak Bong presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II  (Photo here).  A former deputy director-general in the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry, Hyon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to the UK by the SPA Presidium in early December, prior to Kim Jong Il’s death.  According to the Court Circular: “His Excellency Mr. Hyon Hak Bong was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Court of St. James’s.  Mrs. Choe Jin Ok was also received by Her Majesty.”

KCNA reports:

Hyon Hak Bong, DPRK ambassador to the UK, on Feb. 17 presented his credentials to Elizabeth II, queen of the UK.

She wished the dear respected Kim Jong Un great success in his work to build a thriving nation and improve the standard of people’s living.

She hoped everything will go on well in the DPRK under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Noting that the bilateral relations have developed on good terms over the last ten odd years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, she hoped that the two governments would positively cooperate with each other in various fields.

Kim Jong Un Visits KJI Casket as Party Organ Endorses Him as KPA Supreme Commander

Kim Jong Un (front row, L) visited Kim Jong Il's casket bier on 24 December 2011. Kenji Fujimoto, who worked as a sushi chef for the Kim Family, told Japan's NHK on 21 December that the woman observed standing behind Kim Jong Un is his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong (back row, L). Also seen in attendance in the front row (L-R) are: Kim Yong Nam (2nd L); Choe Yong Rim (3rd L); Kim Kyong Hui (4th L); Ri Yong Ho (3rd R); Kim Yong Chun (2nd R); Kim Kuk Tae (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the casket bier of Kim Jong Il at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace one again on 24 December (Saturday).  He was joined by other members of the central leadership.  Once again, standing behind him, was his younger sister Kim Yo Jong (Kim Yo’-cho’ng).  Jong Un’s visit while the Korean Workers’ Party’s newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published an editorial which called for his assumption of the position of KPA Supreme Commander.

The KPA Supreme Commander (Choson inmin’gun ch’oego) serves as the leading official (i.e. commander-in-chief) of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  The supreme commander can declare a state of emergency or war and issue instructions and commands in support of such a declaration.  During a state of emergency or war, the Supreme Commander commands all of the DPRK’s ground, naval, air and special forces.  The supreme commander also establishes direct authority and command over the KPA’s other security organizations (typically controlled by the party) such as the Ministry of State Security, Ministry of People’s Security, the Guard Command and Pyongyang Defense Command as well as the country’s civilian reserve forces who serve in the Reserve Military Training Units [RMTU] and Worker-Peasants’ Red Guard [WPRG].

The KPA Supreme Commander also can promote officers with the rank of general or higher, as well as those holding the position of division vice-commander or higher.  In addition to that the KPA Supreme Command directs and guides the winter and spring training cycles of the KPA.  The supreme command issues orders through the 10th office of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau; during contingency or war, the supreme commander bypasses the formal chain of command and issues orders and instructions through the Operations Bureau’s 10th office.  The position is intended to bypass the collective control over security organizations by the Korean Workers’ Party and allow the supreme commander to exercise single guidance (tanil chido)

The position was created after the outbreak of the Korean (Fatherland Liberation) War.  It was an emergency mechanism that gave Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) with full control and command of DPRK armed forces as the war unfolded.  From 1972 to 1991 Kim Il Sung served as KPA Supreme Commander concurrently to being DPRK President (i.e. head of state).  On 24 December 1991 Kim Jong Il was elected KPA Supreme Commander during the 19th plenary meeting of the 6th KWP Central Committee.  The day after his election, on 25 December, the KPA General Political Department (also known as the General Political Bureau) convened a meeting of KPA political officers and cadres.  At the end of the meeting, they swore a loyalty oath to Kim Il Sung and KJI, who were in attendance.

It is not clear that Kim Jong Un has been elected KPA Supreme Commander.  In the weeks prior to KJI’s  demise, Jong Un accompanied his father on several KPA field inspections.  On most all of these inspections the Kims were reported by DPRK media to have been accompanied by “staff members of the KPA Supreme Command.”  As Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, KJU is the leading official of the body which would propose his nomination to the Party Central Committee.  After Kim Il Sung died in 1994, Kim Jong Il convened two meetings of the Political Bureau.  It is highly likely that the Central Committee will convene a meeting a few days to several weeks after the funeral and appoint KJU supreme commander.

KJI Votes Early and Often

Kim Jong Il casts his ballot in elections for local government elections in Ryo'ngso'ng District, Pyongyang on 24 July (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) participated in local elections in Ryo’ngso’ng District, Pyongyang, on 24 July (Sunday).  According to KCNA, KJI voted for Pak Hyong Ryol, a manager of the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory, as a representative to the Pyongyang City People’s Assembly, and Kim Chol Ho, a manager of the Ryo’ngso’ng Quail Factory, as representative to the Ryo’ngso’ng District (kuyo’k) People’s Assembly.  KJI talked with the two candidates after he voted.  He was joined by CMC Members Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and Kim Kyong Ok (Kim Kyo’ng-ok) and met at his polling place by SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop) and Pyongyang City KWP Committee Chief Secretary Mun Kyong Dok (Mun Kyo’ng-tok).

DPRK citizens participate in elections to local government on 24 July (Photo: KCNA)

According to Article 139 of the 2009 DPRK Constitution, “the term of office…of people’s assemblies shall be four years” which is also the term of office for local people’s committees.  Kim Jong Il last participated in local elections on 29 July 2007, but cast his ballot at a cooperative farm in Hamju County, South Hamgyo’ng Province.

Local people’s assemblies [LPA] function like the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] at the provincial (city), municipal (city district) and county levels.  LPA’s meet infrequently to approve development (economic) plans and budgets and decide personnel matters on local people’s committees.  LPA’s  also can appoint or dismiss officials of local people’s courts.  Unlike the SPA, an LPA does not have personnel power over local public prosecutor’s offices.

According to Articles 137-144 of the 2009 DPRK Constitution

Article 137. Provincial (municipality directly under the central authority), municipal (district), and county people’s assemblies are the local organs of sovereignty.

Article 138. The local people’s assemblies shall be composed of the deputies elected on the principle of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Article 139. The term of office of provincial (municipality directly under the central authority), municipal (district), and county people’s assemblies shall be four years. A new election of the local people’s assembly shall be held prior to the expiry of its term of office according to the decision of the local people’s committee at the corresponding level. When unavoidable circumstances render an election impossible, the term of office shall be extended until an election is held.

Article 140. The local people’s assembly shall have the duties and authority to:

1. Deliberate and approve local plans for the development of the people’s economy and reports on the status of their implementation.

2. Deliberate and approve local budgets and reports on their execution.

3. Establish measures to execute the laws of the state in the local area concerned.

4. Elect or recall the chairman, vice chairmen, secretary, and members of the people’s committee at the corresponding level.

5. Elect or recall judges and people’s assessors of the court at the corresponding level.

6. Rescind erroneous decisions and directives of the people’s committee at the corresponding level and of the people’s assemblies and people’s committees at lower levels.

Article 141. The local people’s assembly shall hold regular sessions and extraordinary sessions. Regular sessions shall be convened once or twice a year by the people’s committee at the corresponding level.  Extraordinary sessions shall be convened when the people’s committee at the corresponding level deems them necessary or at the request of more than one-third of the total number of deputies.

Article 142. The local people’s assembly requires a quorum of more than two-thirds of the total number of deputies in order to meet.

Article 143. The local people’s assembly shall elect its chairman. The chairman shall preside over the sessions.

Article 144. The local people’s assembly shall issue decisions.

Local people’s committees [LPC] have been in use in the DPRK since 1946, although their role has changed significantly over the years.  LPC’s are the mother hen of the local government apparatus.   It functions as the local government authority, between meetings of the LPA, and has   The LPC generates local development plans, budgets and ordinances which are submitted for approval to the LPA, to whom the LPC technically reports.  However, the LPC is the local implementation and execution arm of the central government.  It is tasked with enacting the orders and/or decisions of the SPA, the SPA Presidium, the National Defense Commission [NDC], the NDC Chairman, the DPRK Cabinet and the Cabinet’s ministries or its other subordinate organs.  References to the National Defense Commission or “the orders of the chairman of the NDC” (itemized in article 147) in the context of LPC’s were one of the revisions in the 2009 constitution.

According to Articles 145 to 152 of the 2009 DPRK Constitution:

Article 145.  Provincial (municipality directly under the central authority), municipal (district), and county people’s committees are the local organs of sovereignty when the people’s assembly at the corresponding level is in recess, and are the administrative and executive organs of local sovereignty at the corresponding level.

Article 146. The local people’s committee shall be composed of the chairman, vice chairmen, secretary, and members. The term of office of the local people’s committee shall be the same as that of the people’s assembly at the corresponding level.

Article 147. The local people’s committee shall have the duties and authority to:

1. Convene the people’s assembly sessions.

2. Carry out the work of electing deputies to the people’s assembly.

3. Carry out work with deputies to the people’s assembly.

4. Execute the decisions and directives of the relevant local people’s assembly and of the people’s committees at higher levels; the laws, ordinances, and decisions of the SPA; the orders of the chairman of the DPRK NDC; the decisions and directives of the NDC; the decrees, decisions, and directives of the SPA Presidium; and the decisions and directives of the Cabinet and the committees and ministries of the Cabinet.

5. Organize and execute all administrative work in the local area concerned.

6. Draw up local plans for the development of the people’s economy and establish measures for their implementation.

7. Compile local budgets and establish measures for their execution.

8. Establish measures to maintain public order, protect the property and interests of the state and social cooperative organizations, and guarantee the rights of citizens in the local area concerned.

9. Carry out the inspection and control work aimed at establishing order in state administration in the local area concerned.

10. Guide the work of the people’s committees at lower levels.

11. Rescind erroneous decisions and directives of the people’s committees at lower levels, and suspend the execution of erroneous decisions of the people’s assemblies at lower levels.

Article 148. The local people’s committee shall hold plenary meetings and executive meetings. The plenary meetings of the local people’s committee shall be composed of all its members, and the executive meetings shall be composed of the chairman, vice chairmen, and secretary.

Article 149. The plenary meetings of the local people’s committee shall discuss and decide on the important issues raised in fulfilling its duties and in exercising its authority. The executive meetings shall discuss and decide on the issues delegated by the plenary meetings.

Article 150. The local people’s committee shall issue decisions and directives.

Article 151. The local people’s committee may have non-standing sectoral committees to assist it in its work.

Article 152. The local people’s committee shall be accountable for its work to the people’s assembly at the corresponding level. The local people’s committee shall be subordinate to the people’s committees at higher levels, the Cabinet, and the SPA Presidium.

New Vice Premier Appointed

Ri Mu Yong (Photo: KCNA)

Minister of Chemical Industry, Yi Mu-yo’ng (Ri Mu Yong), was appointed Vice Premier of the Cabinet.  Ri was first elected to the SPA in 1998 and was elected a member of the Party Central Committee (CC KWP) in September 2010.  He has worked as minister since his appointment in September 2003 during the 1st session (plenum) of the 11th SPA.  KCNA reported on the 31 May decision:

Ri Mu Yong was appointed as vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, according to a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly promulgated on Tuesday.

It seems Yi is filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Yi T’ae-nam which occurred during the 4th session (plenum) of the 12th SPA on 7 April 2011.  If this is the case, Pyongyang watchers may wonder why the vacancy was not filled during the April SPA session, and what event or circumstances (if any) underscore the appointment.

Workers and officials at a national report meeting, attended by members of the central leadership, at Namhu'ng Youth Chemical Complex on 1 May 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

With Yi’s appointment the current line-up of the DPRK’s Premier and Vice Premiers of the Cabinet is:

DPRK Premier Choe Yo'ng-rim (Choe Yong Rim) June 2010

Vice Premier and Minister of Electronics Industry Han Kwang-pok (Han Kwang Bok) June 2010

Vice Premier and Minister of Machine-Building Industry Cho Pyo'ng-chu (Jo Pyong Ju) June 2010

Vice Premier Cho'n Ha-ch'o'l (Jon Ha Chol) June 2010

Vice Premier Kang Nu'ng-su (Kang Nung Su) June 2010

Vice Premier Kang So'k-chu (Kang Sok Ju) September 2010

Vice Premier Kim Rak-hu'i (Kim Rak Hui) June 2010 (Photo: KCNA)

Vice Premier and Minister of Finance Pak Su-kil (Pak Su Gil) September 2009

Vice Premier and Minister of Chemical Industry Yi Mu-yo'ng (Ri Mu Yong) May 2011

Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission Ro Tu-ch'o'l (Ro Tu Chol) September 2003

Cabinet Vice Premiers among senior party and government leaders visiting Mangyo'ngdae on Kim Il-so'ng's birthday (15 April) in 2011: Cho'n Ha-ch'o'l (L); Ro Tu-ch'o'l (3rd L); Kang So'k-chu (4th L); Han Kwang-pok (3rd R); and, Cho Pyo'ng-chu (R)

12th SPA’s 4th Session Elects New NDC Member, MPS

Seen here are stamps recently issued in North Korea to mark the birthday of the late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, which falls on April 15. (KCNA-Yonhap)

The 4th session (plenum) of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] convened Thursday [7 April] at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.  Neither Kim Cho’ng-il nor Kim Cho’ng-u’n attended the meeting.  Defying the speculative pronouncements of numerous observers, Cho’ng-u’n was not elected to the National Defense Commission.

Pak To'-ch'un

Pak To’-ch’un was elected to replace Cho’n Pyong-ho on the National Defense Commission [NDC].  Prior to his election to the NDC, Pak was reported by the DPRK media on 6 April [Wednesday] having attended Kim Cho’ng-il’s visit to industrial sites in Chagang Province.  He was elected in September 2010 to replace Cho’n as the CC KWP Secretary of Military (Munitions/Military Logistics) Industry and before that, served as the Chief KWP Secretary in his native Chagang Province (the locale of many factories that produce arms and equipment).

Pak attending a factory visit with KCI during the summer of 2010 (Photo: KCNA)

Cho'n Pyong-ho attends a factory visit by Kim Cho'ng-il in 2009 (Photo:KCNA)

Cho’n Pyong-ho was the primary organizational architect and for four decades directed the country’s arms industry.  When a biographical profile of Cho’n was disseminated in DPRK media in September 2010, he was identified as the Chief KWP Secretary and Political Bureau Director for the party’s organization and apparatus in the DPRK Cabinet.

KPA Gen. Yi Myo'ng-su

In the most widely anticipated senior personnel matter to be under taken on 7 April, Yi Myo’ng-su was appointed to replace Chu Sang-song as Minister of People’s Security.  Chu was “dismissed” by the NDC, which DPRK reported prior to publicizing the convocation of the 12th SPA’s 4th session.  Yi Myo’ng-su has worked as director of the NDC Administration Department since 2007.  He was a key member of Kim Cho’ng-il’s military support network, linked to the office of KPA Supreme Commander.  Along with Hyo’n Ch’o'l-hae (NDC Director of the Standing Committee), Yi has regularly been seen in attendance Kim Cho’ng-il’s visits, inspections and other events for a number of years.

Yi poses for a commemorative photo in May 2010 with other members of the central leadership (Photo: KCNA)

Yi Myo'ng-su (highlighted) attends Kim Cho'ng-il's visit to the Central Tree Nursery in Pyongyang in 2009 (Photo: KCNA)

Prior to his 2007 appointment in the NDC apparatus, Yi served for a number of years as director of the KPA General Staff Department’s Operations Bureau where he interacted regularly with a number of leaders in the KPA’s service commands.  From 1993 to 1996 Yi was chief of staff of the KPA III Army Corps (which defends Pyongyang’s outer environs from South P’yo’ngan Province) where he served under Chang So’ng-u, the late older brother of NDC Vice Chairman Chang So’ng-t’aek.

Yonhap (via Korea Herald) reports on the personnel changes:

North Korea usually holds a parliamentary session one or two times a year to assess spending and accomplishments of the previous year and to approve the current year’s budget.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency did not say a word about Kim Jong-un in its several dispatches on the parliamentary session.

Instead, KCNA said the rubber-stamp legislature named Ri Myong-su as minister of People’s Security, which had been vacant. It also appointed Pak To-chun as a new member of the defense commission, replacing Jon Pyong-ho, who was transferred to other unspecified post. Jon had been deeply involved in the defense affairs.

Kim Yong-hyun, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul, said that Kim Jong-un not being promoted doesn’t mean there is any problem in the power transfer, but it could be aimed at paving the way for stable power transition.

“The North appears to moderate its pace in handing over the power,” Kim said, noting leader Kim Jong-il is still in charge.

Xinhua’s English service reports about another example of how Kim Cho’ng-il detests large meetings (and bequeathing this trait to Cho’ng-u’n?) and the 12th SPA 4th session’s other business:

The DPRK’s top leader Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, did not attend the fourth session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) Thursday, the official Korean Central Television reported.

The agenda of the session, held at Mansudae Assembly Hall, included discussion of the work of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) cabinet in 2010 and its tasks in 2011, the implementation of the national budget in 2010 and the mapping out of the national budget in 2011.

Premier Choe Yong Rim made a report on the Cabinet’s work. He said light industry and agricultural production had dramatically improved last year.

Big successes were also made in development of science and technology, cultural construction and other fields, he said.

He also stressed the need to remarkably increase the production of consumer goods and grain to “bring about a decisive turn in improving the standard of people’s living.”

Pak Su Gil, vice-premier and minister of finance, reported on the national budgets.

He said the national budgetary allocations for light industry and agriculture in 2010 increased 10.9 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, year on year.

Huge funding would go to light industry and agriculture this year, he said, adding 15.8 percent of the total national budgetary expenditure this year, the same as last year, would be spent on national defense.

Gomes Returning to US

Aijalon Gomes (Photo: roadturn.com)

Former US President Jimmy Carter secured the release of Aijalon Gomes during a two-day trip to Pyongyang.   KCNA announced one version of the interaction that facilitated Mr. Gomes’ return home:

Jimmy Carter made an apology to Kim Yong Nam for American Gomes’ illegal entry into the DPRK and gave him the assurance that such case will never happen again on behalf of the government and the ex-president of the U.S. He asked Kim Yong Nam to convey to General Secretary Kim Jong Il a message courteously requesting him to grant special pardon to Gomes to leniently forgive him and let him go home.

After receiving a report on the request made by the U.S. government and Carter, Kim Jong Il issued an order of the chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission on granting amnesty to Gomes, an illegal entrant, pursuant to Article 103 of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK.

NK Media Coverage of SPA

KCNA , in an uncharacteristic move, published short biographic sketches on Mr. Jang, Mr Choe and the Vice Premiers appointed at yesterday’s SPA session.  Below you can find the image carried by the North Korean media and KCNA’s biography.

One note about Mr. Jang’s birthday; this is the first I have seen of his being born in January, 1946.  All other sources I have read or seen have said he was born in February, 1946.  Sources have differed on where Mr. Jang was born, most say that it was Kangwon Province and a few (including documents submitted that effectively banned his entry into the EU in December, 2009) say he was born in North Hamgyong.

Jang Song Taek (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Jang Song Thaek was elected vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly.
Born on Jan. 22, Juche 35 (1946), he graduated from Kim Il Sung University and worked as an instructor of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea. And he had been active as instructor, deputy section chief, section chief, vice department director, first vice department director and department director of the WPK Central Committee since 1972.

He has worked as director of the Administration Department of the C.C., the WPK since 2007.

Choe Yong Rim (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Choe Yong Rim was elected premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Born on November 20, Juche 19 (1930), Choe served in the Korean People’s Army. He got the qualifications as an economic engineer after graduating from a university.

He worked as instructor, section chief, vice department director, first vice department director and department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief secretary of the Secretaries Office of the Kumsusan Assembly Hall. Then he held posts of vice premier of the Administration Council, director of the Central Public Prosecutors Office and secretary general of the SPA Presidium.

He has worked as chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK up to now since 2009.

Kang Nung Su (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Kang Nung Su was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Born on February 21, Juche 19 (1930), Kang served in the Korean People’s Army. Then he graduated from Kim Il Sung University and won the qualifications for expert of the Korean literature.

He had worked as instructor of the C.C., the Writers Union of Korea, chief of the Room for Creative Work of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee, vice-chairman of the C.C., the WUK, head of the April 15 Literary Production Company, chairman of the Kimilsungia- Kimjongilia Committee of the DPRK and minister of Culture.

He has been active as director of the Film Department of the WPK Central Committee and concurrently chairman of the State Film Commission up to now, starting this year.

Kim Rak Hui (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Kim Rak Hui was appointed as vice premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Kim was born on November 11, Juche 22 (1933).

Graduated from the University of National Economics, she worked as management board chairperson of a cooperative farm, chairperson of a county cooperative farm management committee, chairperson of a provincial rural economy committee and vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

She has worked as chief secretary of the South Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the WPK up to now since 2005.

Ri Tae Nam (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Ri Thae Nam was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Ri, born on June 25, Juche 27 (1938), graduated from Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and got the qualifications for metal processing engineer.

He took the post of a workshop head of the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Plant, instructor, deputy section chief and section chief of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chief party secretary of the Kangson Steel Complex, chairman of the Nampho City Administrative and Economic Committee, chief party secretary of the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex, chief secretary of a provincial committee of the WPK and chief party secretary of the Sungri Motor Complex.

He has worked as chief secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK since 2009.

Jo Pyong Ju (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

He was born on December 1, Juche 31 (1942). He got qualification as a machine-building engineer after graduating from Ryongsong University of Mechanical Engineering.

Jo Pyong Ju was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet and concurrently minister of Machine-Building Industry at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.

He worked as instructor and shop head of the Ryongsong Machine Plant, manager of the Hamhung Compressor Plant, director general of the Ryongsong Associated Machinery Bureau and manager of the Ryongsong Machine Complex.

He has worked as minister of Machine-Building Industry up to now since 2005

Jon Ha Chol

KCNA biography:

Jon Ha Chol was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
He was born on April 22, Juche 17 (1928) and got the qualification as a geological expert on physical prospecting after graduating from a university.

He worked as researcher and room chief of the Academy of Sciences, section chief of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, director of the General Bureau of Geology, minister of Mining Industry, chief councilor of the Administration Council, economic secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK, chairman of the Provincial Economic Guidance Committee, department director of the WPK Central Committee and chief secretary of the Secretaries Office of the Kumsusan Assembly Hall.

He has worked as vice director of the Planning and Financial Department of the WPK Central Committee up to now since 2006.

Han Kwang Bok (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA biography:

Han Kwang Bok was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet and concurrently minister of Electronics Industry at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
She was born on March 18, Juche 35 (1946). She got qualifications as an electronics engineer after graduating from Kim Chaek University of Technology.

She worked as instructor and chief instructor of the Metal and Machine-Building Industries Commission and vice-minister of Machine-Building Industry.

She has worked as minister of Electronics Industry up to now since 2009.

Likely two or three days ahead of the 7 June 2010 SPA session, Kim Jong Il visited the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm in Samsok District, Pyongyang.  The farm is under the management of the Ministry of People’s Security/Korean People’s Interior Forces (previously known as the Ministry of Public Security) and was declared “11th scenic spot of the Songun [Military First] Era.”  As Jang Song Taek manages MPS, it is likely KJI’s appearance at the farm is related to Mr. Jang’s appointment as NDC Vice Chairman.  KJI was last reported to have appeared at the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm on 28 November 2009, this was his last reported public appearance before the country implemented its widely reported currency redenomination.

Jang Song Taek Becomes NDC Vice Chairman, Choe Yong Rim Cabinet Premier

Jang Song-taek

At the 3rd session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly held 7 June 2010 (Monday), CC KWP Director of Administration Jang Song Taek was appointed a Vice Chairman to the country’s supreme power body, the National Defense Commission.  Meanwhile, former chief public prosecutor and current KWP chief in Pyongyang, Choe Yong Rim replaced Kim Yong Il as the country’s Premier.  Kim Jong Il attended Monday’s session, unlike the second session in April.  Mr. Jang’s appointment as an NDC Vice Chair occurred just under 14 months after his appointment as an NDC member in April 2009, at the 12th SPA’s opening session.  Jang Song Taek and his wife, Kim Kyong Hui (KJI’s sister) have been the most frequent members of KJI’s reported travel party (internally and in his his May trip to China) within the last seven (7) months.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il sits in the Mansudae assembly hall in Pyongyang yesterday during this year’s second Supreme People’s Assembly meeting. (Yonhap)

Choe Yong Rim is an alternate member of the CC KWP Political Bureau and former Chief Public Prosecutor.  He served on several occasions as one of the late DPRK President Kim Il Sung’s secretaries.  During the Korean (or Victorious Fatherland Liberation) War, Mr. Choe was a member of KIS’ war time bodyguard corps.  From 1998 to 2003, Choe Yong Rim was director of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.  In 2006 he was appointed to be Secretary-General of the Supreme People’s Assembly.  In 2004 he was reported to be a member of KJI’s Special Operations Command Group, which also included Generals Hyon Chol Hae and Ri Myong Su.  This special command group was responsible for studying and managing contingency planning in the DPRK, following the US invasion of Iraq.  Around August, 2009, Choe Yong Rim was appointed to fill the long-vacant chief secretary’s job on the KWP Pyongyang Municipal Committee (which is the same as a provincial party committee).

Choe Sang Hun reports in the NY Times:

Kim Yong-hyun, a North Korea analyst at Dongguk University in Seoul, said: “By personally attending the parliamentary session and calling for Jang Song-taek’s appointment, Kim Jong-il made his brother-in-law the official manager of the power succession.”

With his new post, Mr. Jang has become “the No. 2 man in both responsibility and influence,” said Yang Moo-jin, a North Korea analyst at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

Mr. Jang’s expanding influence coincided with what analysts said was Kim Jong-il’s growing dependence on his trusted relatives in his waning years in power. Mr. Kim, 68, is still believed to call the shots, but he appears to have become visibly weak after his 2008 stroke, raising doubts about whether he can live long enough to secure a transfer of power.

KCNA reports on the replacement of several Cabinet officials, as well as the appointments of Mr. Choe, recommended by the KWP Political Bureau, and the appointment of Mr. Jang, proposed by KJI:

Deputy Kim Yong Il was recalled from the post of premier and Deputy Choe Yong Rim was elected to the post at the proposal of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee at the end of the discussion on the first agenda item.

Then followed discussion on the second agenda item.

Deputy Jang Song Thaek was elected as vice-chairman of the NDC at the proposal of Kim Jong Il.

Some Cabinet members were recalled and appointed at the session.

Deputies Kwak Pom Gi, O Su Yong and Pak Myong Son were recalled from the post of vice-premier while Deputy Ri Ju O from the post of minister of Light Industry, Deputy Jong Yon Gwa from the post of minister of Foodstuff and Daily Necessities Industry and Deputy Pak Hak Son from that of chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission.

Deputies Kang Nu’ng-su, Kim Rak Hui, Ri T’ae-nam and Jon Ha Chol were appointed as vice-premiers, Deputy Jo Pyong Ju as vice-premier and concurrently minister of Machine-Building Industry, Deputy Han Kwang Bok as vice-premier and concurrently minister of Electronics Industry, Deputy An Jong Su as minister of Light Industry, Deputy Jo Yong Chol as minister of Foodstuff and Daily Necessities Industry and Deputy Pak Myo’ng-ch’o'l as minister of Physical Culture and Sports.

New DPRK Premier Choe Yong-rim is 3rd L in this photograph from KJI's December, 2009, guidance tour of the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il Absent from 12th SPA 2nd Session (revised)

Kim Jong Il did not appear at the 2nd session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly.

The 2nd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Friday.

It was attended by deputies to the SPA.

Officials of Party, armed forces and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions and those in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media attended it as observers.

The session discussed the following agenda items: “1. On the work of the DPRK Cabinet in Juche 98 (2009) and its tasks for Juche 99 (2010)”, “2. On the results of the implementation of the DPRK state budget for Juche 98 (2009) and its state budget for Juche 99 (2010)”, “3. On the adoption of the ordinance of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly ‘On revising some provisions of the DPRK Socialist Constitution’” and “4. Organizational matter”.

The SPA heard two extensive, and possibly cosmetic, reports.  Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier Pak Su Gil (who was appointed in September 2009) delivered the country’s budget report.  Recently let out of the vinalon doghouse, Premier Kim Yong Il read the Cabinet/ideological report.  The SPA was also reported to have made some revisions to the DPRK Constitution and done some bureacratic housekeeping.

Pyon Yong Rip, who was replaced as President of the National Academy of Science in September, was elected Secretary General of the SPA Presidium, replacing Choe Yong Rim who was appointed in 2009 as Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang Municipal KWP Committee.

The most notable change, at least from the early reports, comes in the Central Public Prosecutor’s Office, which seems to have been renamed the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office and a director, Jang Pyong Gyu, appointed.  The question is whether Jang Pyong Gyu replaces Prosecutor-General Ri Kil Song.  The institutional change to the Public Prosecutor’s Office is most likely related to the shift and status elevation of the Ministry of Public Security, which links with the Public Prosecutor.  Prior to this SPA session, the MPS was subordinated to the National Defense Commission, similar to the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces.  Previously MPS was directly subordinate to the Cabinet.

I am awaiting more reports and observation, but I wonder if  “organizational matters” included electing a new SPA Budget Committee chair to replace Pak Nam Gi?  The Budget Committee also needed to replace Ri Chol Bong who reportedly died in a car accident around Christmas of 2009.

But where was Kim Jong Il?  As 9 April is also the anniversary of his appointment as chairman of the National Defense Commission, and this year is the 17th anniversary, perhaps he was away celebrating.  KBS’ evening news broadcast on 8 April included a report on two days’ observation of security preparations in Beijing, as well as the arrival there of several North Korean VIP delegations.    The reports also notes that if KJI has traveled to China, it will not be known until this weekend.

There were no overt indications or allusions to the allegedly ongoing Kim Jong Un (-Eun/-un) succession campaign, as noted by Yonhap’s Sam Kim in his tidy summary of the day’s session.  If one is looking for KJU indications, Daily NK writes about Open Radio for NK acquiring an issue of the KPA daily newspaper, on KJU’s supposed birthday (8 January) which includes political essays and oblique references on the rule of three generations of the Kim Family.

In the January 8th edition, Chosun People’s Army emphasized the loyalty of the military to the third generation succession in its first page editorial, saying, “The People’s Army will continue the tradition of loyalty to the Supreme Leader and Supreme Commander.”

The editorial went on, “The critical capacity to carry loyalty to the Supreme Leader and Supreme Commander down to the successor belongs to the People’s Army, the gun of the Mt. Baekdu (the Kim family). All the soldiers of the People’s Army should continue their mission and duty as the main force of revolution, as it was done in the past; in the tradition of loyalty to complete the Juche revolution.”

The editorial used a new expression, “the leadership to complete the great achievements of the Military-first Revolution” which many people assume to mean Kim Jong Eun.

The expression, “leadership of the Military-first Revolution” can be seen again on page 2 in another article, “For the Completion of the Succession for the Great Achievements of the Military-first Revolution,” which states, “Without the leadership of the Military-first Revolutionary Leaders, who lead the entire military in establishing the strong military climate and determined military system of the Supreme Commander, we can never think of the victorious, unbeatable, and strong military of the Mt. Baekdu revolution, which uses arms to guarantee the succession and link up the Juche revolutionary achievements.”