The Ministry of People’s Security and DPRK Media Hit Back at Mein Kampf Allegations

Gifts office employees assist Kim Jong Un with a watch presentation ceremony held in Pyongyang in February 2013 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media published two statements on 19 June (Wednesday) that lambasted and partially denied** an allegation that the country’s leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) distributed copies of  a translation of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s memoir-cum-manifesto Mein Kampf (My Struggle) along with other gifts to DPRK elites on Kim Jong Un’s birthday in January 2013.  New Focus International, citing DPRK sources in China and internal documents, reported on 17 June (Monday) that “to mark Kim Jong-un’s birthday on January 8th, DPRK officials ranked departmental director and above in the National Defence Committee were presented with the autobiography of Adolf Hitler in the form of a ‘hundred-copy book’ (This refers to a limited edition of translated books which are officially banned but have been published in secret for the consumption of members of the North Korean elite).”  NFI‘s report was disseminated, without any independent corroboration, in South Korean media and by  The Washington Post‘s WorldViews blog.   KCNA issued a commentary which described NFI‘s story as “sheer fabrication” and “false trumpeting by forces hostile to the DPRK”:

The Washington Post recently quoted an article allegedly carried by New Focus, media of human scum in south Korea, as saying that the DPRK presented Hitler’s memoir “My Struggle” to its officials and there is possibility of the DPRK mounting a campaign of learning after Hitler, which is sheer fabrication.

As known, New Focus is wicked media made up of human scum who fled to south Korea from the DPRK after betraying the nation and which is supported by the south Korean puppet group and ultra-right conservatives. It has carried a whole gamut of false reports slandering the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and distorting the situation of socialism only to be cursed and censured by the public at home and abroad.

The group of such dirty men talked rubbish packaged in false information, a mockery of media whose basic mission is objectivity, impartiality and neutrality and an intolerable insult to human conscience.

This foolish act is aimed to tarnish the image of the DPRK and hurt the validity and invincibility of the Songun cause, being frightened by the might of the DPRK that arouses admiration and support from the world with time.
The U.S. media professing professional journalism carried the false report written by those rubbish betes noires for a few pennies, bringing shame to itself.

Fabricating false reports, away from elementary human conscience and ethics, and echoing them all disclose ignorance of the situation of the DPRK. It is a hysteric symptom of those who are frightened by the DPRK demonstrating its might as the world’s strongest political and ideological power and a nuclear weapons state and making leaping progress to bring prosperity.
No one will believe such a false report in the bright world of the 21st century.

The false trumpeting by forces hostile to the DPRK is a serious, politically-motivated provocation against it.

Just as it is impossible to smear the blue sky dark with dirty writing brush of falsity and machinations, the forces hostile to the DPRK can never undermine the validity of the Military-First (So’ngun) cause pioneered and led by the peerlessly great men nor can they keep the army and people of the DPRK from dynamically advancing toward victory, true to the new line on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force.

New Focus International‘s original report on Kim Jong Un distributing Mein Kampf also alleged that Minister of People’s Security, Gen. Choe Pu Il, invoked one of Nazi Germany’s key internal security agencies the Geheime Staatspolizei (a.k.a The Gestapo), which was subordinate to the Schutzstaffel (a.k.a. The S.S.) during an undated speech to public security officials.  According to NFI Gen. Choe said, “We are equivalent to a police force. In other countries, people fear the police more than they fear the army. Stop focusing on ways to make money in the markets, and mould yourselves after the Gestapo. In the Kim Jong-un era, the Department of People’s Security is the most powerful department – be proud.”

Nazi leader Adolf Hitler (L) (1889-1945) with the head of his body guard, favorite chauffeur and former Reichführer-SS (1925-1926) Julius Schreck (R) (1898-1936)

Graphic of the key bureaus of the Ministry of the People’s Security (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch).

The Ministry of People’s Security [MPS] released a “Special Press Statement” published and broadcasted on 19 June which alleged that South Korean President Park Geun-hye “and other incumbent puppet authorities are falsifying the human scum belonging to the malicious organizations of the escapees from the North into experts on North Korean affairs and using them as a front in an open smear campaign against us” because “they staged a burlesque of carrying in Yonhap News and The Washington Post even the escapees’ fabricated article saying that we had given to cadres as gifts copies of the book ‘My Struggle’ written by Hitler, and we are waging a campaign to learn from the experience gained in rebuilding Third Empire in Germany following the World War I.”  The MPS said that “from the beginning, our army and people have thought that talking about the escapees from the North itself is shame, while regarding them as herds of the starved wild dogs in human skin. . .however, we can neither overlook nor tolerate these ugly creatures removed from the rolls of human beings and expelled from the bright world, as they are recklessly slandering and hurling abuses at our dignity and system, while playing main roles in staging the burlesques of confrontation with the incumbent South Korean gang of puppets and the brigandish US imperialists under their protection and manipulations.”

The MPS attempted to further link NFI‘s report to the Park Administration saying “we do not want to further mention how difficult is the situation of the Park Geun-hye gang that is trying to confront us at any cost even by relying on these human rubbish and how pitiable is the politics of the United States that is trying to topple our system by using them” and that “no matter how desperately they make last-ditch efforts, gripped by extreme anxiety and fears, the trouble-ridden lives of the puppets cannot be prolonged, and the hostile policy of the United States toward the DPRK, which is to realize its goal of aggression through the puppets, too, cannot escape the fate of failure.”  The Ministry claimed that “our army and people are turning out, calling for eliminating as early as possible the human rubbish which are kicking up hysterical frenzies after being reduced to servants for confronting fellow countrymen, far from paying for their criminal past by death.  People in the hometowns where they lived and even their own flesh and blood as well are begging us every day to allow them to kill these human scum with their own hands.”  MPS also announced that “reflecting the rage of the millions of soldiers and people that is full in this land, has decided to take an actual action to physically eliminate the ugly human scum that are continuing to additionally commit high treason under the abetment of the incumbent puppet authorities and the brigandish United States.  The ugly human scum will never be able to look up to the sky by remaining alive nor be able to find even an inch of land to be buried after death.”  The MPS concluded its “special press announcement” saying that “the United States, the incumbent South Korean authorities, and the vicious conservative media that are tenaciously persisting in smear propaganda and criticisms against us by using them, too, will receive merciless showers of justice.”

According to KCNA, the MPS’ statement said:

The Ministry of People’s Security of the DPRK issued the following special statement Wednesday:

The DPRK, a country dignified with independence and powerful with Songun, is enjoying the greatest dignity with a bright prospect of socialism of Juche.

The world is looking enviously at the army and people of the DPRK dashing ahead toward the final victory in sight on the horizon at the “Masikryong Speed”. Meanwhile, the moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK on the part of the dishonest and hostile forces have faced bankruptcy.

A handful of human scum is moving desperately to deter this progress.

Park Geun Hye and other present puppet authorities of south Korea are openly putting to the fore human scum belonging to the organizations of die-hard defectors from the north, painting them as “experts in north Korean issue” and instigating stepped-up criticism.

On June 18, south Korea fed to Yonhap News and The Washington Post articles contributed by defectors saying that copies of book “My Struggle” authored by Hitler were presented to officials in the DPRK as gifts and campaign is now under way to learn from the experiences gained in rebuilding the “Third Empire” that existed in Germany after the First World War.

They even committed the thrice-cursed crime of belittling the matchless great personality of the leader of the DPRK reflected in his loving care for the future generations.

The army and people of the DPRK regard it as shame to make mention of defectors from the north, a group of wild dogs in human form.

The group of human scum marginalized in the bright world has become the main player in the confrontation farce under the patronage of the south Korean puppet group and brigandish U.S. imperialists. They even slandered and insulted the dignity and the social system of the DPRK, an act which can neither be overlooked nor tolerated.

By origin, defectors are human scum who were deserted even by home folks and kinsmen being branded as elements subject to legal punishment in the clean society in the DPRK for their crimes of murder, robbery, pilferage, embezzlement of state properties and corruptions.

South Koreans also know this.

But the south Korean authorities try to escalate confrontation with the DPRK by using them and the U.S. seeks to overthrow the social system in the DPRK in reliance on them. This proves the poor plight of the Park Geun Hye regime and the U.S. politics.

It is none other than the present puppet authorities of south Korea which seek to fan up confrontation wind despite their loud-mouthed ballad for “confidence” and “dialogue”. And it is the U.S. which moves overtly and covertly to topple the social system in the DPRK despite its stereo-typed call for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

No matter how desperately the puppet group of south Korea may try being gripped in extreme uneasiness and horror, they can never prolong their dirty remaining days. The U.S. which tries to attain its aggression aim in reliance on the group is bound to face bankruptcy in its hostile policy toward the DPRK.

The National Defence Commission of the DPRK on June 16 warned that all the future developments depend on the U.S. responsible option.

The army and people of the DPRK are strongly calling for punishing those human scum as early as possible as they are going hysteric as servants escalating confrontation with fellow countrymen, far from trying to redress their crime-woven past with death.

There are daily requests from home folks and kinsmen of those defectors for letting them kill human scum with their own hands.

The Ministry of People’s Security of the DPRK, reflecting the grudge of all its service personnel and people, is determined to take substantial measures to physically remove despicable human scum who are committing treasons at the instigation of the south Korean puppet authorities and the gangster-like U.S.

Sordid human scum will never be able to look up to the sky nor be able to find an inch of land to be buried after their death.

The U.S. and the south Korean authorities and wicked conservative media resorting to smear campaign against the DPRK in reliance on them will be made to meet merciless punishment of justice.

**Whether or not the DPRK denies the distribution of Mein Kampf in its two statements is a subjective interpretation.  New Focus International claims that the DPRK did not deny it had given copies of the book to senior cadres in its 19 June statements.  However, describing something as a “fabrication” and “false trumpeting” can be viewed as an indirect denial.

Minister of People’s Security Reclaims 4th Star

Gen. Choe Pu Il, Minister of the People’s Security (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Choe Pu Il, Minister of the People’s Security, was restored to his previous rank of four-star General (taejang) per an order of Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  Choe Pu Il was first promoted to General by late leader Kim Jong Il on 28 September 2010.  Choe’s name appeared on a promotions list which also elevated Kim Jong Un, Choe Ryong Hae (current Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department; later elevated to Vice Marshal [ch'asu]) Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy (vice) Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Organization Guidance Department), Hyon Yong Chol (then-commander of VIII Army Corps; served as Chief of the KPA General Staff from July 2012 to May 2013 and currently commander of V Army Corps) and Kim Kyong Hui (Kim Jong Un’s aunt and a core member of the DPRK leadership).  Choe was rumored to have been reduced rank to three-star Colonel-General (sangjang) in late 2011, although it is not clear what prompted his demotion.  From about 2012 until February 2013 Choe Pu Il served as the Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau.  In February he was appointed Minister of the People’s Security, where he replaced Gen. Ri Myong Su.  On 31 March 2013, Choe was elected an alternate (candidate) member of the KWP Political Bureau and at the 7th session (plenum) of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] on 1 April 2013 Choe was elected a member of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC].

According to KCNA, the Ministry of the People’s Security [MPS] and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF] “together with the Korean People’s Army constitute armed groups which play the role of two mainstays of the Korean revolution” and in issuing the promotion order Kim Jong Un “expressed belief that all service persons of the people’s security organ and the KPISF would creditably perform their honorable mission and duty as the first-line soldiers protecting the socialist system, remaining loyal to the leadership of the party.” Rodong Sinmun reported that Choe Pu Il’s rank was restored because “The organ of people’s security and the people’s internal security forces are two leading armed groups that, together with the people’s army, form twin pillars of our revolution.  In the past period, members of the public security corps and the officers and men of the people’s internal security forces performed great feats that will forever shine in the history of the fatherland by highly demonstrating boundless devotion and sacrifice in the sacred struggle to defend the party, system, and the people both in the days of glory and days of ordeals while highly upholding the banner of death-defying defense of the leader” and that “the prevailing situation urgently demands the organ of the people’s security and the people’s internal security forces, which are the revolutionary armed forces of our party, to impregnably guard the gateway of the socialist system and to reliably guarantee, with gun barrels and law, the party’s line on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear armed forces.”

Graphic of the key bureaus of the Ministry of the People’s Security (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch).

Ministry of People’s Security headquarters (Photo: Google image)

Choe Pu Il’s February 2013 appointment as Minister created a superficial gap in the power balance among the DPRK’s internal security agencies.  His counterpart at the Ministry of State Security, Kim Won Hong, was a four-star general.  The formal military rankings of these agencies’ leading officials suggest that the one led by a full-general has a more superior position, and valued more by the leader, than an agency led by a three-star general.  Based on his observed and reported public activities, Kim Jong Un appeared to be favoring the Ministry of State Security over the Ministry of the People’s Security.  Both ministries erected statues of late leader Kim Jong Il on the campuses of their respective headquarters, however Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of State Security after it unveiled its KJI statue, but not the MPS.  The MPS, however, demonstrated its political clout in 2012 when KPISF commander, Gen. Kim In Sik, was appointed Vice Premier of the DPRK Cabinet and later appointed Chairman of the Capital City (Pyongyang) Construction Commission.  Kim Jong Un visited People’s Security headquarters and inspected a KPISF unit on May Day (1 May; International Labor Day) 2013.

The Ministry of the People’s Security is a large security organization consisting of (ca.) 200,000 employees with diverse missions.  In DPRK vernacular, the MPS is “a dinosaur” indicating the immense size and resources of the organization.  The MPS is the DPRK’s major domestic law enforcement and public safety organization.  It enforces DPRK laws and statutes (i.e. misdemeanors and felonies), discharges a number of public safety functions (fire departments, traffic control, road and railway security), administers prisons and labor detention facilities and is responsible for various registration records (the census, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses).  MPS personnel provide security to DPRK Embassies and missions located abroad, to DPRK Cabinet members and other DPRK government officials and DPRK universities and research institutions.  They also support the missions of the Guard Command, which provides close protection for Kim Jong Un and others core DPRK elites.  The MPS and the KPISF also operate several engineering and construction brigades (which some sources claim construct the tunnels used in nuclear detonations) and own several farms and other production sites, including the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm and Factory and the 927 Chicken Farm.  The MPS and KPISF are subordinate to the National Defense Commission, but they report to Jang Song Taek in his capacity as NDC Vice Chairman and Director of the KWP Administration Department.

Ministers of the People’s (Public) Security from 2000 through the present (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch).

Like some other recent personnel changes at the upper tier of the DPRK’s** national security community, Choe Pu Il’s replacement of Ri Myong Su did not involve an aggressive purge of the incumbent official in favor of a Kim Jong Un loyalist.  Despite being removed from office, Gen. Ri appears to remain a member of the central leadership, albeit operating in a diminished capacity.  Like his two immediate predecessors, Choe has spent part of his career in command positions in the KPA’s conventional forces.  Both Choe Pu Il and Ri Myong Su have held the position of Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau [GSOB].  Choe was head of the operations bureau from 2012 to 2013 and Ri headed the bureau from approximately 1996 to 2007.  Like the Minister of People’s Security, the Chief of the General Staff Operations Bureau leads a diverse security organization with hundred of thousands of personnel, has direct access to the supreme leader and an intimate knowledge of the country’s various power organizations and their activities.  While not a head of the GSOB, Ri Myong Su’s predecessor, Gen. Ju Sang Song, had served as an inspector-general of the Chief KPA General Staff and was the commander of the IV Army Corps.  Since the health-related retirement of Paek Hak Rim in 2003, the MPS had only once been led by a civilian, Choe Ryong Su, who served as Minister for about a year until he was removed from office.  Since Choe’s 2004 dismissal, the DPRK leadership has seemingly earmarked the Minister’s position for the KPA.

**Rumors of purged security officials are greatly exaggerated in the Pyongyang watching community.  Gen. U Tong Chuk stood aside as Minister of State Security in 2012 and vacated his political offices, but was never purged.  Readers can do the math on Gen. U’s status, factoring in that he spent much of his career as an overseas intelligence manager and officer.  VMar Kim Jong Gak was removed as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in November 2011, but has not lost his Vice Marshal’s rank and was assigned another position.  Hyon Yong Chol, who served as Chief of the KPA General Staff from July 2012 to May 2013, was reduced in rank and assigned command of V Army Corps.  And then there’s Kim Kyok Sik, removed from office as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in May 2013 after six months in officer.  Gen. Kim, identified as the target of the biggest purge this side of ’56, ended up appointed Chief of the General Staff.

***For fans of James Church’s Inspector O series, “the Minister” in The Corpse in the Koryo and Bamboo and Blood was Paek Hak Rim and “the Minister” in Hidden Moon was Choe Ryong Su***

Gen. Kim Kyok Sik Lands at KPA General Staff

Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (annotated in a yellow box) was part of a group that saw off VMar Choe Ryong Hae (1) and a senior DPRK delegation on a trip to China at Pyongyang Airport on 22 May 2013. Also seen in attendance is PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai (2) (Photo: KCNA)

Two weeks after being removed from office as the DPRK’s defense minister, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik has been appointed Chief of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff.  Gen. Kim had been appointed Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, the country’s equivalent to defense minister, in November 2012 and held that position until early May 2013.  On 13 May, DPRK state media identified Gen. Jang Jong Nam  as Minister of the PAF.  Gen. Kim’s removal from office, after only seven months in the position, caused a feverish amount of speculation among Pyongyang watchers some of whom interpreted his removal from office as a “purge.”  Gen. Kim replaces Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, who was appointed Chief of the KPA General Staff in July 2013 after the removal of VMar Ri Yong Ho.  There is no word as to whether Gen. Hyon was dismissed with prejudice or if he had been assigned another position in the KPA.  One of Gen. Hyon’s last observed appearances was in late April 2013 when he attended Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visit to the Haedanghwa Health Complex in Pyongyang.

Gen. Kim Kyok Sik was identified as the new head of the KPA General Staff in a Korean Central Television report about VMar Choe Ryong Hae’s 22 May (Wednesday) departure from Pyongyang Airport to visit China as the “special envoy of Kim Jong Un.”  Gen. Kim previous served as Chief of the KPA General Staff from 2007 to 2009.  He is the second DPRK elite to be appointed to a senior position that he previously held; the other member of the central leadership to be reappointed to his old job was Pak Pong Ju, who was appointed DPRK Cabinet Premier on 1 April 2013, having served as DPRK Premier from 2003-2007.  2007 was the same year that Kim Jong Un became a viable candidate as the late leader Kim Jong Il’s hereditary successor.

Kim Kyok Sik’s replacing Hyon Yong Chol marks the third senior KPA personnel turnover in two weeks (with Jang Jong Nam replacing Kim at MPAF, and Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok replacing VMar Hyon Chol Hae as 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), and the eighth observed personnel change to the KPA’s high command since Kim Jong Un formally assumed the supreme leadership in January 2012.  Pyongyang watchers might be forgiven if they find themselves reaching for the Dramamine with the latest change at the top of the KPA.  Finding an easy rationale behind these personnel changes would be, to paraphrase one of our most astute Kumsusanologists, “shallow and misleading.”

Graphic illustrating personnel changes in the senior command of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] from 2007 to 2013 (Photo: M. Madden/NK Leadership Watch)

New 1st Vice Defense Minister Appointed

Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok (annotated) poses for a commemorative photograph with Kim Jong Un after a visit to the 20 February Factory of the KPA. DPRK state media’s report on this KJU visit revealed that Col. Gen. Jon had been appointed 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

“Despite the fact that after I am gone, it will still not be too late to use your people, why are you in such a rush to try to handle things your way?”–Kim Jong Il, December 2011

Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok has been appointed as the DPRK’s senior vice minister of defense.  Col. Gen. Jon, the former director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Logistics Department, was identified as 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces when he attended Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visit to the 20 February Foodstuffs Factory of the KPA.  Jon Chang Bok is a member of the Party Central Committee and was a member of the National Funeral Committee for Kim Jong Il.  His last observed public appearance was his attendance with KJU at a May Day-themed concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra in early May 2013.  Jon also visited Ku’msusan Memorial Palace with KJU and other members of the central leadership on the anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il’s birth in February 2013.  In March 2013, Jon delivered the keynote speech at the opening of the Taeso’ngsan General Hospital in Pyongyang.  He also joined members of the core leadership when they escorted the Moranbong Band on a visit and performance at KPA Large Combined Unit (taeyonhap pudae) #630.  In August 2011, Col. Gen. Jon led a KPA delegation on an official visit to China.

Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok (L) shakes hands with former Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (R) in Beijing on 26 August 2011. At the time Col. Jon was leading a KPA logistics delegation on a visit to China. Jon was appointed 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in May 2013. (Photo: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

A graphic illustrating key departments within the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces (Graphic: Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch)

Hyon Chol Hae visits the Taedonggang Tile Factory with late leader Kim Jong Il in July 2009 (Photo: KCNA)

VMar Hyon Chol Hae talks with a Changjon Street resident while visiting the man’s apartment on 6 July 2012 (Photo: KCNA/KCTV still)

Jon replaces VMar Hyon Chol Hae, a former close military aide to Kim Jong Il.  VMar Hyon was appointed 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in April 2012 and was also elected a full member of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Political Bureau and a member of the Party Central Military Commission.  From 2007 to 2012, VMar Hyon was director of the National Defense Commission [NDC] Standing Bureau, which was responsible for logistical and security arrangements for Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un field inspections of KPA units.  During the 3rd Party Conference in September 2010, Hyon sat in the gallery to Kim Jong Un’s left.  From 1995 to 2007 VMar Hyon was a deputy director of the KPA General Political Department, with responsibility for organization.  From 1986 to 1995, Hyon served as Director of the KPA General Logistics Department (under the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces).  He was reappointed Director of the GLD in April 2012, replacing Jon Chang Bok.  It is not clear if Hyon has been removed from his GLD position, which may have been reclaimed by Jon Chang Bok.  It is not clear if Hyon’s removal from office is an actual “purge” or if it is tied to the last week’s dismissal of Gen. Kim Kyok Sik as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces.

Hyon is the latest DPRK elite affected by a series of personnel changes in the party, the government and security organizations.  In February 2013, Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il replaced Gen. Ri Myong Su as Minister of the People’s Security.  Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil replace Choe Pu Il as Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau  In March 2013, Paek Kye Ryong replaced Pak Pong Ju as Director of the KWP Light Industry Department and Yun U Chol replaced Kim Ki Ryong as editor of the KWP’s daily newspaper Rodong Sinmun.  In April 2013, Pak Pong Ju was re-appointed DPRK Cabinet Premier, replacing Choe Yong Rim, who was elected Honorary Vice President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA].  Former President of the State Academy of Social Sciences Tae Hyong Chol was appointed President of Kim Il Sung University, replace Song Ja Rip.  Tae vacated his position as SPA Secetary-General and was replaced by Hong Son Ok.   April 2013 also found Ri Yong Yong appointed Minister of Coal Industry, replacing Kim Hyong Sik.  In May 2013 Choe Hwi appere to have replaced Ri Jae Il as the Senior Deputy of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department.

Kim Jong Un Visits Mansudae Art Studio and Attends KPISF Concert

Kim Jong Un (R) issues instructions during a visit to the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang where he viewed works slated for display in the city’s war museum when it reopens in July (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 13 May (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Mansudae Art Studio and watched a performance by the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF] Song and Dance Ensemble.  KJU’s last observed public appearance was his attendance at rehearsal and a meeting with members of the U’nhasu Orchestra.  KJU first visited the Mansudae Art Studio.  He was accompanied by Choe Hwi, Senior Deputy (1st vice) Director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department, and Kim Ui Sun, a deputy director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department.

At the art studio Kim Jong Un reviewed paintings and other art works which will be installed in the renovated Victorious Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) Museum when it reopens in July 2013.  According to KCNA, KJU “noted that creators have truthfully portrayed the personality of the President as an invincible and iron-willed commander, a peerless strategist and tender-hearted father of the service personnel and the people, adding he felt as if he were watching his photos” and “watched again and again such works portraying the President in the period of the Fatherland Liberation War as ‘The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung planning an operation’, ‘The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung teaching a new combat method’ and ‘The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung laying down a policy of using tanks to commanding officers of the KPA.’  He praised the creators for having successfully dealt with the principle of historicism and the phases of those times.”  KJU remarked that “watching photos of the President and the works depicting him in the war period to be displayed in the museum would help the visitors keenly realize how a great victory was won in the war and where was the source of the indomitable mental strength displayed by the service personnel and the people of the DPRK” and “told the creators to consider this principle as a rule in creating such works.”  KJU also “specified the orientation and ways which would serve as guidelines for creating such works and further developing the Chuch’e-based fine art,” according to KCNA.

Kim Jong Un (1) watches a performance of the KPISF Song and Dance Ensemble with his wife Ri Sol Ju (5). Also in attendance are Col. Gen Choe Pu Il (2), Kim Kyong Hui (3), Kim Kim Ki Nam (4), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (6), Jang Song Taek (7) and Gen. Jang Jong Nam (8). Gen. Jang Jong Nam was recently appointed Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and this was his first observed public appearance since his appointment. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un later watched a concert given by the KPISF Song And Dance Ensemble.  He was joined by his wife, Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) along with VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the KWP Administration Department), Gen. Jang Jong Nam (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary, head of the Kim Family and KJU’s aunt), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security) and “other senior party and army officials, DPRK hero Ri Kyong Sim, woman traffic controller, who is well known to the service personnel and people for fully displaying the spirit of devotedly protecting the leader, and other people’s security persons and service personnel of the KPISF.”  KCNA reported that “put on the stage were colorful numbers of various genres including narration and chorus ‘Eternal Smile’, female solo and chorus ‘General Kim Il Sung Is Our Sun’ and dance ‘At the Lake Samjiyon.’”

After the concert, Kim Jong Un “highly praised the creators and artistes of the ensemble for giving the best performance, dynamic and appealing, by creating works of great cognitive and instructive significance providing good answers to social issues in the era of Military First (So’ngun) politics through the sensitive reflection of the party’s policies” and “gave thanks of the Supreme Commander of the KPA to them.”  According to KCNA, KJU “appreciated the performance as one which fully represented the will of the people’s security persons and service personnel of the KPISF to devotedly safeguard the socialist system with arms and law, a presentation instilling great strength and courage into the audience and the one, highest in artistry and flawless in its ideological contents and appeal” and said that “it is the great honor and pride of the WPK to have such art troupe as the song and dance ensemble of the KPISF.”  Kim Jong Un also said “he enjoyed the performance very much, noting that it was good to decorate the stage with colorful and diverse numbers through the presentation of national music, squad performance and light music. He once again highly appreciated the unique and enterprising creative work style of the creators and artistes of the ensemble” and “set forth important tasks to be fulfilled by the ensemble, expressing expectation and belief that its creators and artistes would energetically conduct the creation and performing activities to educate the people’s security persons, the service personnel of the KPISF in a revolutionary manner and people and powerfully encourage them in their struggle.”

Kim Jong Un Visits Yanggakdo Stadium and Football Game

Kim Jong Un (1) provides instructions on the renovation of Yanggakdo Stadium in Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance are Jang Song Taek (2), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (3) and Kim Jong Un’s wife Ri Sol Ju (4) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 29 April (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Yanggakdo Stadium and attended the men’s football finals for the Mangyo’ngdae Prize at Kim Il Sung Stadium.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his visit to the Haedanghwa Health Complex.  KJU’s first visit was to the Yanggakdo Stadium which he ordered to be renovated.  Attending the visit was his wife, Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu), along with VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau) and other officials.

According to KCNA Kim Jong Un visited the stadium (originally opened in 1989) “with a plan to radically remodel the stadium as required by the new century.”  KJU visited the stadium historical exhibition where he “recollected with deep emotion the undying exploits they performed for the development of the Juche-based physical culture and sports.”  KJU then toured the stadium and ordered a series of renovations.  He said, “it is the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea to turn the stadium into a football stadium which can represent stadiums of such type across the country as required by the new century.”  KJU also “formed a strong construction unit capable of carrying out the project in a brief span of time.”  KJU also remarked that “to develop physical culture and sports is an important work to augment the national power in every way, demonstrate the indomitable spirit and dignity of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea before the world and let all the service personnel and people dynamically step up the building of a thriving socialist nation full of national pride and self-esteem” and he “expressed expectation and belief that the relevant fields would successfully remodel the stadium as a football stadium to be impeccable in any aspect.”

Kim Jong Un (3) attends the men’s premier league football finals for the Mangyongdae Prize at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on 29 April 2013. Also watching the game with are Jang Song Taek (1), Ri Sol Ju (2) and Choe Tae Bok) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Su later attended the  men’s football (soccer) finals for the Mangyo’ngdae Prize National Sports Festival at Kim Il Sung Stadium.  Also in attendance at the football game were VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Ki Nam (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman), Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Kim Yong Il (KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres’ Affairs), Kwak Pom Gi (KWP Secretary and Director of the Planning and Finance Department), Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security), Kim Tong Il (Deputy [vice] Director of the KWP Workers’ Organizations Department) and “members of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, officials of the party and armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions, those in the sports field, sportspersons, fans and Pyongyangites.”

The men’s football premier league finals for the Mangyongdae Prize between the Rimyongsu Sports Group and the Amnokgang Sports Group at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on 29 April 2013. The Rimyongsu Team beat the Amnokgang Team 2-1. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

The match was played between two of the DPRK’s premier league teams, Rimyongsu and Amnokgang.  KCNA reported the two teams “advanced into the finals after proving successful at the men’s premier soccer league matches. They played good games, displaying high technique they have cultivated in day-to-day trainings” and that “Rimyongsu Team took the initiative from the beginning according to its tactics and made hot attacks.”  Rimyongsu led Amnokgang 2-0 in the first half and went onto win the game 2-1.  At the end of the match, Kim Jong Un “congratulated the footballers of both teams on playing a good match, expressing great satisfaction with their high technique.”

Kim Jong Un (1) greets DPRK athletes who received gold medals or placed in the top of their categories at international competitions held between February and April 2013. Also in attendance at the event held at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on 29 April 2013 are DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju (2), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (3), and Minister of People’s Security Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (4) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

KJU also met with DPRK athletes who successfully participated in recent international competitions including long-distance runner Kim Kum Ok (who placed first in the 14th Asian Marathon Championship held in Hong Kong on 25 February 2013), wrestler Yang Kyong Il (who placed second in the men’s 55 kg freestyle at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship), gymnast Ri Se Gwang (who placed first in the vault event at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha in March 2013), wrestler Hwang Ryong Hak (who placed first in the men’s 60 kg freestyle at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships), Pak Yong Mi (who placed first in the women’s 48 kg freestyle at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships), judoka Hong Kuk Hyon (who placed first in the women’s 73 kg weight class at the Asian Judo Championships of 2013 in Bangkok in April 2013), weightlifter Ri Su Hyon (who won three gold medals in the women’s 44 kg competition at the 2013 International Weightlifting Federation’s Youth World Championships in Tashkent in April 2013), Kwon Yong Gwang (who won three gold medals in the men’s 62 kg competition at 2013 IWF Youth World Championships in Tashkent) and weightlifter Pak Jong Ju (who came in second overall and won two medals in the men’s 50 kg competition at the IWF Youth World Championships in Tashkent), along with “a coach and physical culture and sports guidance officials.”

Kim Jong Un shook hands with the DPRK athletes and, according to KCNA, “highly praised them for proving successful at the recent international games and instilling the conviction of victory and optimism into the service personnel and people of the DPRK dynamically pushing forward the building of a thriving socialist nation despite harsh sanctions and strong pressure of the enemies.”  KJU also “expressed his belief that sports persons and coaches would undergo more intensive trainings to consolidate the successes achieved and fully demonstrate the honor of the country with gold medals at international games.”  Also attending KJU’s meet-and-greet were DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Tae Bok, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Kim P’yo’ng-hae, Kwak Pom Gi, Mun Kyong Dok, Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il and members of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission.

Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan and Attends Banquet to Mark KPA Anniversary

Kim Jong Un (8th L) and senior members of the DPRK’s national security community pay their respects to statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army.(Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun and attended a banquet on 25 April (Thursday), to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a rally and military “march-past” on Ku’msusan Plaza.  KJU first visited the preserved remains of his grandfather, late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.

Floral baskets (C) and honor guards representing (L, R) the KPA’s three conventional service branches at Kumsusan on 25 April 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

He was accompanied by Kim Yong Nam (Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President), Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and KJU’s aunt), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the Ministry of State Security’s Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Political Bureau) and “commanding officers of the WPK Central Military Commission, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and the KPA.”

KJU and the KPA’s high command first visited a room containing statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.  Floral baskets from Kim Jong Un, the Party Central Committee the Party Central Military Commission and the NDC were placed in front of the statues.  KJU then visited the rooms containing the preserved remains of his grandfather and father where he “made bows. . .in the humblest reverence,” according to KCNA.

A banquet hosted by the DPRK National Defense Commission at Mokran House in central Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un also attended a banquet hosted by the NDC at Mokran (Moknan) House in central Pyongyang.  Attending the banquet were “senior party, army and state officials, members of the WPK Central Military Commission and the NDC of the DPRK, commanding officers of the KPA, officials of the party and armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions and service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces” and “diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and military attaches of foreign embassies here and their spouses.”  Before the banquet, the Moranbong Band gave a performance.

After the performance, a toast speech was delivered by Jang Song Taek (Chang So’ng-t’aek; Jang Song Thaek), Vice Chairman of the NDC, Director of the KWP Administration Department and Kim Jong Un’s uncle.  According to KCNA, during his speech, Mr. Jang “paid highest tribute to the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who strengthened the KPA into the matchless revolutionary army and led it to the road of victory and glory, breathing with arms all their lives” and that “upon the authorization of Marshal Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of our party and people and supreme commander of the KPA, he warmly congratulated the service personnel defending the sky, land and seas of the country as firm as a rock and all the people dynamically struggling to build a thriving nation.”  Mr. Jang “noted that the revolutionary armed forces are ushering in the greatest heyday of their development as they are holding Kim Jong Un, who is identical to the Generalissimos, in high esteem as supreme commander” and he “stressed the need to steadily bolster nuclear force for self-defence both in quality and quantity and perform new miracles and feats in building a thriving socialist nation in the spirit of the historic March, 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK.”

Kim Jong Un Attends KPA Event at Kumsusan

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) points to something at an event held at the plaza in front of Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013 to mark the KPA’s official 81st anniversary. KJU is seen talking to his uncle, Jang Song Taek (R), Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and Director of the KWP Administration Department. Also in the image are Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (L) and VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 25 April (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a rally and “march-past” at Ku’msusan Plaza in Pyongyang to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra, given on Sun’s Day (Day of the Sun; Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary).  Joining Kim Jong Un on one platform were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department),VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong (Minister of State Security [MSS]), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the MSS Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security [MPS]), Col Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the MPS Political Bureau), Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Command), Col. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Navy) and Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command).

Watching the rally and demonstration from another platform were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, KWP Secretary and Kim Family head Kim Kyong Hui, KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Kim Ki Nam, KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon, KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department Kim Yong Il, KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres’ Affairs Kim P’yo’ng-hae, KWP Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi, 1st Vice (senior deputy) Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department Jo Yon Jun, along with “vice-premiers of the Cabinet, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and members of the military attaches corps here.”  Watching the event were “officials of the party central leadership organ in Pyongyang, officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, officers and men of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, people from all walks of life, the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and overseas Koreans.”

The anniversary event began with speakers, led off by VMar Choe Ryong Hae.  According to KCNA, Choe said “the 80 odd year-long history of the KPA is one of glory in which it has steadily grown stronger as the main force for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e under the care of the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu and one of victory and feats in which it met every vicious challenge and shattered war provocation moves of the enemies and reliably defended the party, the leader, country and people” and he “expressed the pledge of all the service personnel to carry to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche that was started with arms in the forests of Mt. Paektu by taking the lead in upholding the leadership of the Supreme Commander as instructed by the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.”  KPA Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik said in his speech “even though the U.S. imperialist aggressors try to browbeat the DPRK with super-large carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, they will never evade the fate of the U.S. heavy cruiser Baltimore, which was buried at sea in waters off Jumunjin during the last Korean War, by the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK equipped ultra-modern strike means” and that “seamen waiting for the time of a dueling battle will send to the bottom of the sea all the pirate ships of aggressors, once ordered, and turn the South Sea of Korea into the burial sea of the enemies.”

KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Commander Ri Pyong Chol said “the men of his force are waiting for a final attack order to put an end to the enemies, with firm determination to devotedly safeguard the Party Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un and the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun” and that “the flying corps of a-match-for-a hundred stalwart pilots, once given a sortie order, will load nuclear bombs, instead of fuel for return, and storm enemy strongholds to blow them up.”  Strategic Rocket Force Commander Kim Rak Gyom said “the DPRK’s inter-continental ballistic missiles have already set the dens of the brigandish U.S. imperialists as their first target and officers and men of the Strategic Rocket Force are one click away from pushing the launch button.  If the U.S. imperialists and their followers dare make a preemptive attack, they will be made to keenly realize what a real nuclear war and real retaliatory blows are like and their stooges be made to feel the taste of horrible nuclear holocaust.”

Following the speeches, KPA units marched past Kim Jong Un.  According to KCNA KJU “saluted the columns marching past the tribune of honor in fine array.”  The event also included a fly-over by KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces jets.

 

Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Memorial Palace of the Sun

Kim Jong Un (7th L) and members of the Party Central Military Commission and DPRK National Defense Commission visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyong at midnight on 15 April 2013 on the 101st anniversary of the birth of his paternal grandfather the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun at midnight on 15 April (Monday), the 101st anniversary of the birth of the DPRK President and founder, Kim Il Sung. KJU’s last reported public appearance was at the 7th session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] on 1 April.

Attending KJU’s visit to Ku’msusan were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Administration Department), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau), Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju (Staff member, KPA Supreme Command), Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song, Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Chief of the Military Security Command), Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Deputy [vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Kang P’yo Yong (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon, Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Forces), Col. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Navy), Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Forces) and Yun Jong Rin (Chief and Director of the Guard Command).

Kim Jong Un arrived at Ku’msusan’s chamber containing the statues of his paternal grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong Il.  Floral baskets were placed in front of the statues, sent by KJU, the Party Central Military Commission and the DPRK National Defense Commission.  According to KCNA, the floral baskets’ ribbons contained the message “‘The great Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will always be with us’.”  Kim Jong Un and the other members of the KPA high command bowed to the KIS and and KJI statues.  They visited the chamber where Kim Il Sung’s preserved remains lie in state and paid their respects, then visited the chamber where the preserved remains of Kim Jong Il lie in state and also paid their respects with the “humblest reverence,” according to KCNA.