4th Party Conference To Convene in “mid-April”

A poster issued in July 2010 for the 3rd Party Conference held 28 September 2010 which says:"Greet the conference of the Workers' Party of Korea as an auspicious event which will shine forever in the history of our party and country!" (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports that on 18 February (Saturday) the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Political Bureau publicized its decision to convene a 4th Party Conference (meeting of party representatives) in April.  It will be the key political event to occur around the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth on 15 April 2012.

The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Feb. 18 issued the following decision on convening the WPK Conference:

The Party members, servicepersons and all other Korean people are now dynamically pushing forward the grand advance to glorify 2012 as a year of proud victory to be recorded in the annals of the country, single-mindedly united around the dear respected Kim Jong Un, cherishing the steadfast faith that leader Kim Jong Il will always be with them.

Kim Jong Il developed the WPK into the party of President Kim Il Sung and an invincible revolutionary party with his outstanding ideas and theories and extraordinary leadership and successfully led the Korean revolution with warm love for the country and its people, fervent energy and great dedication for over half a century, thus performing undying revolutionary feats in behalf of the Party, the revolution, the country and its people.

We are now facing honorable tasks to build a thriving socialist nation by firmly defending the revolutionary ideas and line and undying revolutionary feats of the President and Kim Jong Il and successfully materializing them without an inch of deflection under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem at the head of the WPK and the revolution for all ages.

The Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee decides to convene the WPK Conference in mid-April Juche 101 (2012) to glorify the sacred revolutionary life and feats of Kim Jong Il for all ages and accomplish the Juche cause, the Songun revolutionary cause, rallied close around Kim Jong Un.

The last party conference was convened in Pyongyang on 28 September 2010 and was Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) major public debut.  At the 3rd Party Conference, KJU was elected a member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission [CMC].  The party charter was revised, a new class of central committee members and alternates (candidate members) were elected and a number of vacant positions on the CMC, Political Bureau and Secretariat were filled.

Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Il’s death left vacant three senior party positions:  General-Secretary, Presidium Member of the Political Bureau and CMC Chairman.  KJU has been acclaimed with a number of honorific titles and appointed KPA Supreme Commander, but he is neither a member (or alternate) of the Political Bureau nor is he a party secretary.  He is, however, CMC Vice Chairman placing him next in line to become CMC Chairman.  If he is elected CMC Chairman in April, it is highly likely he will also be elected General Secretary, in accordance with the party charter revision in 2010 which made them concurrent positions.  As of February 2012, there were at least six (6) vacancies on the Political Bureau, one (1) in the Secretariat and one (1) on the CMC.  During the 4th Party Conference it is likely some of these vacancies will be filled.  The Political Bureau may also see some upward migration in its membership (i.e. alternate to full member).

Ko Yong Hui

The announcement on the 4th Party Conference occurred one day after the central leadership completed a series of events commemorating Kim Jong Il’s birthday.  If the upcoming party conference is intended to continue the advance of Kim Jong Un’s formal succession, then one possible clue might be found in a quiet renewal of promoting Ko Yong Hui as a national hero.  KCNA reported on 13 February (Monday) that “poets created many works with the approach of the Day of the Shining Star.”  Among the works published was an epic poem, “Comrade Kim Jong Il, Eternal Sun of Military-First Politics” which is about “great feats performed by him in turning the DPRK into a nuclear state, a military-first power.”  Ko is mentioned in the poem as “mother of Korea.”  Korea Times reported:

In an apparent move to burnish her name, the North’s main Rodong Sinmun referred to Ko Yong-hui, the senior Kim’s third wife, as the “Mother of Pyongyang” in an epic poem feting the autocrat Monday.

Analysts say the North has been cautious in mentioning Ko given her upbringing in Japan. She had been referred to as the “respected mother” in 2002 before efforts to elevate her were halted two years later after her death reportedly from cancer.

The North, which relies on a massive personality cult to justify its family rule, is thought to be emphasizing Kim Jong-un’s royal bloodline as it consolidates his power among the elite and over the population.

The junior Kim, thought to be in his late 20s, took power following his father’s death in December.

“There’s an all-out campaign underway to solidify Kim Jong-un’s political power, so it’s natural for the authorities to re-emphasize his mother,” said Park Young-ho, an analyst with the Korea Institute for National Unification. “The same was done for Kim Jong Il’s mother as he consolidated power.”

In 2003 Wolgan Choson obtained Korean People’s Army [KPA] indoctrination materials which referred to “the respected mother.”  The “mother” was also called “the General’s #1 aide” and described as someone who “assists the supreme commander from the close quarters of his body.”  This report also observed that Ko Yong Hui began appearing at Kim Jong Il’s guidance visits and inspections.  At the same time these documents surfaced in the ROK press, page space in Rodong Sinmun was increasingly reserved for essays carrying the by-line “Ko Yong Hui.”

Both the indoctrination and RS writing were early products to promote the KJI-Ko lineage (family) in hereditary succession.  Frequently cited among Pyongyang watchers as managing the Ko publicity effort within the KPA is Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, deputy (vice) director of the KPA General Political Department’s propaganda bureau.  Pak returned to a central leadership role days after KJI appointed his son supreme commander in October 2011.  Pak has attended many of Kim Jong Un’s visits to KPA units, and he has also appeared  quite prominently in footage in retrospective documentary films about, or extolling, KJI’s leadership.

Gen. Pak Jae Gyong attends the central report meeting for Kim Jong Il's birthday at 25 April House of Culture on 15 February 2012

DPRK trading corporation head Cha Ch'o'l-ma gives an interview in a Korean Central Television (KCTV) show aired on 18 February 2012 (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Also linked to the early Ko Yong Hui publicity campaign was Ri Je Gang (Ri Che-kang), a senior deputy (vice) director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department and an aide to Kim Jong Il in the personal secretariat.  Ri died in an automobile accident in June 2010, prior to a major government personnel shuffle.  Ri’s son-in-law Cha Chol Ma was spotted on KCTV during KJI’s birthday.  Yonhap reports:

Cha Chol-ma, known as one of North Korea’s richest men, has been confirmed to be serving in a top position at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, the seat of the North’s legislative body, the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA).

In a Saturday TV program on the late leader Kim Jong-il’s Feb. 16 birthday, Cha was briefly interviewed, saying that the Mansudae Assembly Hall was decorated with thousands of bouquets of flowers out of its workers’ respect for Kim Jong-il, who reportedly died of heart failure last December.

“All of the workers at the Mansudae Assembly Hall are deeply grieving the sudden demise of the great general Kim Jong-il,” Cha said in the interview carried by the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.

Cha, who formerly served at the foreign ministry and engaged in trade and commerce with China, is alleged to have earned more than US$10 million by monopolizing foreign currency earning businesses run by SPA’s standing committees. He is also said to have expanded his wealth and business knowledge while serving as a diplomat at the North’s embassies in China and Pakistan.

Cha is a son-in-law of the late Ri Je-gang, who died in a traffic accident in June 2010 after long serving as one of Kim Jong-il’s most trusted aides, triggering speculation that he had received a lot of help from Ri in the process of accumulating his fortune.

Kim Jong Un Visits KPA Large Combined Unit

KPA Supreme Commander and acting chairman of the Party Central Military Commission Kim Jong Un (front, 3rd L) watches a performance during his inspection of KPA Large Combined Unit #324. Also in attendance are: Ri Yong Ho (seated, L); Kim Yong Chun (seated, 2nd L); Pak Jae Gyong (standing, 3rd R); Ro Hung Se (standing, 2nd L); and Ri Tu Song (standing, R) (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) was reported on 7 February to have visited Korean People’s Army [KPA] Large Combined Unit (taeyonhap pudae) #324.  His last reported public appearance was an inspection of KPA Navy Combined Unit (yonhap pudae) #597.  He was reported to have been accompanied by: VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff; VMar Kim Yong Chun, Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces; Gen. Kim Myo’ng-kuk, Member of the Party Central Military Commission [CMC] and chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau; Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, director of the KPA General Propaganda Department and Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces; and from the KPA Supreme Command apparatus, Lt. Gen. Ri Tu Song (GPD) and Lt. Gen. Ro Hung Se (portfolio not clear).  In December 2011, one of the last performances Kim Jong Il watched was an art performance given by the KPA Large Combined Unit #324′s propaganda squad.

KCNA reports:

The first leg of his inspection was the command of Large Combined Unit 324 of the KPA. He had a photo taken with its service personnel.

Then he went round the room for education in the revolutionary history and the room devoted to its history.

Recollecting with deep emotion the undying feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il which are recorded in the history of the unit, he said the unit grew to be a matchless elite unit under the wise leadership and meticulous care of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Making the rounds of an operation study room, shooting gallery and other places, he acquainted himself with the training of the commanding officers.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the unit successfully built rooms for the study of military affairs so that its service personnel might deeply study and fully apply the Juche- based war methods of the WPK and is organizing effective trainings for boosting the ability to command operations.

He gave valuable instructions for preparing all the commanding officers to be competent ones capable of skillfully organizing and commanding any difficult combat duty in a modern war.

He inspected a forward command post of the unit. There he heard from the commander of the unit a report on the situation.

Standing before an operational map, he looked over the defence theatre and learned in detail about the topographical features and the distribution of forces.

Enjoying a bird’s-eye view of a city, villages, a lot of factories and fertile co-op fields, he said the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people are firmly guaranteed as the service personnel of the People’s Army are standing guard with arms over the socialist country which cannot be bartered for anything.

He set forth important tasks to be fulfilled to mercilessly wipe out the enemies in the forward areas along the defence line in view of their ceaseless moves to ignite a new war and thus safeguard the socialist country as firm as an iron wall.

He inspected Unit 156 of the KPA honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment. He had a photo session with its service personnel.

After hearing a report on the decision from the commander of the unit, he acquainted himself with its training.

The unit has a very important duty to perform, he said, putting forth important tasks to serve as guidelines for bolstering its combat capability.

Noting that the primary duty of a soldier is to undergo training well, he underscored the need for the unit to focus all efforts on intensifying training and prepare the service personnel of the unit as all-round fighters capable of performing themselves any combat duties satisfactorily, in particular.

He made the rounds of a library and other facilities for ideological and cultural education to learn in detail about how political work is conducted among its service personnel.

He went round a bedroom, education room and lecture rooms for training of a company under the unit’s direct control to take care of the living of its service personnel.

The appearance was another opportunity for Jong Un to recreate an iconic Mangyo’ngdae family picture:

Kim Jong Un points at a map during his inspection of KPA Large Combined Unit #324, reported in February 2012. Standing to the right is Kim Yong Chun (Photo: KCNA, Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il points at a map during an inspection of a KPA unit in September 1997, the month prior to his appointment as KWP General-Secretary and CMC Chairman. Standing to KJI's right in this image Kim Yong Chun (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il presents watches to members of the Guard Command in July 2011. Seen in in attendance behind KJI are Kim Jong Un (L), Kim Ki Nam (2nd L), Ri Yong Ho (3rd L), Kim Jong Gak (rear, 3rd R) and employees of the Gifts Section of the Personal Secretariat (2nd R)

Kim Jong Un (L) filmed during an inspection of the KPA Navy Command headquarters in July 2011. In this image are SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (2nd R, 2nd L); Kim Myo'ng-kuk (2nd R) and Ri Yong Ho (R)

Meanwhile, on the theme of emulation of (not-so) hidden heroes, DPRK media has released another focused on Kim family leadership.  The latest release highlights Kim Jong Il’s inspections of KPA units and his attendance of art performances by KPA personnel or their families during 2011.  KJI, along with Kim Jong Un and other members of the central leadership are shown visiting a series of history exhibitions, barracks, mess halls, as well as handing out gold Swiss watches to members of the Guard Command.

Kim Jong Il tours a plant affiliated with KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 in March 2011, accompanied by Admiral (Gen.) Jong Myong Do (R)

Kim Jong Il (5th L) stands for a commemorative photograph during his tour of a KPA Navy factory in March 2011. Seen in this image are: Col. Gen. O Chol San (L), political director of the KPA Navy; Jang Song Taek (2nd L); Gen. Jong Myong Do, commander of the KPA Navy (3rd L); Kim Jong Un (3rd R); Gen. Ri Myo'ng-su (R); and Gen. Hyon Chol Hae (R)

The films shows footage of KJI’s visit to a factory affiliated with KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 in March 2011.  No photographs of that visit were released; instead DPRK media showed an image of a visit made to the factory by Kim Il Sung.  The films also includes footage of KJI’s guidance to live fire exercises of KPA Unit #966, a subordinate unit of the Pyongyang Defense Command [PDC].  KJI’s guidance of the unit’s exercises was his final reported inspection of a KPA unit and occurred one week before he died.

It may not be legal to access the video below in some countries.

Kim Jong Il directs live fire exercises of KPA Unit #966, of the Pyongyang Defense Command. This was his final reported inspection or appearance at a KPA unit, reported 13 December 2011. Also seen in attendance are Kim Jong Un (C) and Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (R), senior deputy (1st vice) director of the party's Organization Guidance Department

A grab of of the film's closing image shows Kim Jong Il greeting spectators at the Worker-Peasants' Red Guard Parade on foundation day in 2011. Seen at the left is Jang Song Taek.

Associated Press Opens Pyongyang Bureau

Associated Press President Thomas Curley (L) shakes hands with Korean Central News Agency President Kim Pyong Ho, after formally opening the AP's Pyongyang bureau on 16 January 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

The Associated Press [AP] opened its Pyongyang bureau on 16 January (Monday), six months after reaching a preliminary agreement.  AP President Thomas Curley and Korean Central News Agency [KCNA] Director-General, Kim P’yo’ng-ho formally opened the bureau office.  The AP joins Xinhua and ITAR-TASS, as the only full-time news bureaus in Pyongyang.  KCNA reports:

The Pyongyang Bureau of the Associated Press of the United States was opened with due ceremony at the Korean Central News Agency on Monday.

Present there were the delegation of the Associated Press headed by its President and CEO Thomas Curley.

Kim Pyong Ho, director general of the KCNA, officials concerned and AP bureau staffers attended.

Earlier, there were talks between the two delegations at the KCNA.

An agreement on the establishment of the AP Bureau in Pyongyang was signed.

Kim Pyong Ho and Thomas Curley inked the agreement.

Thomas said the opening of the bureau would bring hundreds of millions of people around the world the cultural understanding and access to stories of political and economic development of the DPRK.

He has great expectations for good journalism, he said, adding this is a great opportunity to just understand and report.

The participants toured the bureau office.

Supreme People's Assembly Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop meets with a delegation of the Associate Press in Pyongyang on 16 January 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un Attends Performance and Visits PY Construction Projects

DPRK media reported on 15 January that Kim Jong Un attended a concert with members of the central leadership.  Yonhap reports:

Kim, who was promoted to Supreme Commander of the North’s all-powerful Korean People’s Army (KPA), attended the performance titled “We Will Hold Our Supreme Commander in High Esteem for All Ages” in a national music hall, the North’s Korean Central News Agency said in a report.

The media did not, however, report when the performance took place.

Accompanying Kim to the show were top-tier military officers including Ri Yong-ho, the chief of the General Staff of the (North) Korean People’s Army; Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission; and Kim Yong-chun, the People’s Armed Forces Minister, as well as other key military figures, according to the state news agency.

The show was composed of solos, a chorus and dance performances dedicated to and extolling Kim Jong-un and his father and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The show highly praised the immortal achievement of the general (Kim Jong-il) who led our country to become the world’s military power and a dignified nuclear holder, the report noted.

The media also quoted Kim as saying after watching the show that “It was a performance that powerfully demonstrated the true revolutionary characteristics of the KPA.”

The latest outing is Kim’s second reported public attendance to a musical event after he inherited the country from Kim Jong-il, who the north said died of heart failure on Dec. 17.

The reporting of Kim’s visit to the culture event, designed to extol the leader family, is seen as a key move to highlight the legitimacy of the power transfer.

Kim Jong Un visits a miniaturized replica of Pyongyang, which was reported by DPRK media in January 2012. In the background is a model of the Ryugyong Hotel (Photo: KCNA)

On 11 January it was reported that Kim Jong Un visited several ongoing construction projects.  It was his first reported public appearance since his attendance of a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra with members of the central leadership on 1 January; it was his third reported public appearance since funeral events for Kim Jong Il were held at the end of December 2011.  KCNA English did not report the names of any of the officials who accompanied him on the visit.  Based on available images of his visit, KJU was accompanied by Gen. Kim Won Hong, chief functionary of the Military Security Command [MSC].

Kim Jong Un (R) talking to KPA service members on a construction project. Seen in the center, facing the camera, is Gen. Kim Won Hong (Photo: KCNA)

Members of the Korean People's Army attending a ceremony at Ku'msusan Memorial Hall on Monday, 9 January 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

KJU’s visit to Pyongyang was reported not long after the Korean People’s Army [KPA] conducted a loyalty oath ceremony at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.  Speakers at the ceremony included VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, deputy director of the KPA General Political Department.  Also among those in attendance were National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice-chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun, NDC Member and KPA General Political Department senior deputy (vice) director, Gen. Kim Jong Gak and commanding officers of the KPA’s service branches.  KCNA reports:

A message of pledge to Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the WPK and the Korean people, was read out by Ri Yong Ho at the rally.

All the service personnel of the KPA more keenly felt the mission of the arms of Mt. Paektu through the unswerving Songun will of Kim Jong Un who solemnly declared that he would accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche the way Kim Jong Il did with a firm hold on the party and the army during the mourning in December in bitter tears, the message said.

The service personnel of the three services of the KPA see an immensely rosy future of Kim Il Sung’s nation and Kim Jong Il’s Korea and feel firmly convinced of a reunified thriving nation, when watching Kim Jong Un standing at the forefront commanding post of the revolution, shouldering upon himself the destiny of the country and the nation, it noted, and went on:

We will build a ten thousands-fold bulwark for protecting the supreme commander and become rifles and bombs to serve as Kim Jong Un first line lifeguards and Kim Jong Un first line death-defying corps by more dynamically conducting the movement for winning the title of the O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment, holding high the slogan “Let Us Defend the Party Central Committee Headed by the dear respected Comrade Kim Jong Un with Our Lives!” despite any storm and stress.

We will lead the whole country and all the people in the general offensive to carry out the tasks laid in the decision of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, the joint calls of the C.C. and the Central Military Commission of the WPK and the joint New Year editorial and bring about uninterrupted innovations in combat training, arms and equipment mobilization preparations, the establishment of steel-like military discipline and noble moral traits and lifestyle and the bolstering of companies.

We will successfully play the role as a standard-bearer and shock brigade in the grand advance for this year to significantly commemorate the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung, the 70th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il and the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the KPA.

The message stressed that the whole army would more sharply whet the bayonets of the revolution so that it may dash ahead like the wind and wipe out the enemies to the last one if they intrude into the inviolable sky, land and seas of the country even 0.001 mm and thus accomplish the historic cause of national reunification without fail.

Loudly shouting “Devoted Defence of Kim Jong Un!” and “National Reunification” in response to the message of pledge, all the participants made a solemn pledge to carry through the behests of Kim Jong Il and remain true to the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Speeches were made at the rally to evince their resolutions on behalf of service personnel of the three services of the KPA.

Noting that all the officers and men of the KPA are the descendants of the President and soldiers and disciples of Kim Jong Il, who have grown up under the care of the great persons born of Mt. Paektu, the speakers pledged themselves to hold the President and Kim Jong Il in high esteem for all ages and firmly defend and glorify the Songun revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il for all eternity.

Chief of the KPA General Staff, VMAR Ri Yo'ng-ho (6th R, front row), speaks at a "pledge" ceremony of KPA service members on 9 January 2012 in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The KPA loyalty oath ceremony was one of several large scale events for which the party has mobilized numerous DPRK citizens.  Since the publication of the New Year’s editorial and the joint calls of the CC KWP and CMC, and the Political Bureau’s assenting to KJU’s appointment as KPA Supreme Commander, similar events have been held by the party in Pyongyang and Hamhu’ng as well as meetings of athletes, industrial workers, the Korean Democratic Women’s Union and agricultural workers.

Members of the DPRK's central leadership attend a concert at 25 April House of Culture in January 2012. Seen in attendance (L-R): Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Jang Song Taek; VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Ho; Kim Yong Nam; Choe Yong Rim; and Kim Ki Nam (Photo: KCNA)

On 9 January DPRK media reported that the country’s central political leadership attended a concert at “the wonderfully-renovated” 25 April House of Culture.  KCNA did not report when the performance occurred or what KPA-based troupe gave the concert.  Eight (8) paragraphs review the songs and the intensity of the performances and the item ends with a short paragraph on the songs about KJU:

There were also such songs as “Footstep” and “We Will Safeguard General Kim Jong Un with Our Lives” that reflect the firm pledge of the KPA to surely carry forward to completion the revolutionary cause of juche, the revolutionary cause of songun started in Mt. Paektu, with arms, holding the dear respected Kim Jong Un in high esteem as the supreme commander.

Party Secretary Choe Ryong Hae (2nd row L) is seen posing for a photo with Kim Jong Un (2nd R) at a visit to a KPA unit. (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un visits an education room in Chagang Province in October 2011. Kim Jong Il was also present, but the Kims' joint appearance does not appear in the film.

On 8 January 2012 DPRK media aired a 50-minute documentary film Succeeding to the Revolutionary Cause of Paektu which merges footage of Kim Jong Un with his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung.  KJU is depicted as “forming a relationship with the gun barrel from early on.”  KJU is show visiting KPA units, being briefed about munitions production.  He is also shown attending KJI’s observation of the launch of the U’nha-2 rocket in April 2009, which DPRK media said was the launch of the Kwangmyo’so’ng-2 satellite.  At a commemorative photo session, KJU shakes hands with party director Ju Kyu Chang, who then formally introduces KJU to Jon Pyong Ho, the former long-time party manager of the ballistic missile program.  The film’s narrator claims that KJU “issued an order to proclaim…the will of military-first Korea to mercilessly crush even the stronghold of enemies should they intercept the missile and ruthlessly crush the enemies’ fleet and intercept system should they attack.”

Kim Jong Un talking during a joint military exercise. Seen in attendance are Col. Gen. Kim Yong Chol (2nd L), Gen. Kim Won Hong (3rd L) and VMar Kim Yong Chun (R)

Jang Song Taek (R) has only a few cameos in the KJU film

Kim Jong Il smokes a cigarette while being briefed on military exercises by Gen. Kim Myo'ng-kuk (center) in 2010 (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Featured members of the leadership appearing in the film include Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yong Chol, Kim Won Hong, Gen. Ri Myong Su and Gen. Kim Myong Kuk.   Interestingly, Kim Myong Kuk was filmed both with three (sangjang) and four (taejang) stars on his shoulder which may indicate KJU’s role in Gen. Kim’s temporary demotion in early 2010  According to images from KJU’s visit to the 105th Tank Division in January 2012, this may have happened again at the corps-division level.  The image of a general-grade officer who was temporarily reduced in rank allows the leadership to portray itself as powerful, but also forgiving or benevolent.  This temporary purge of “revolutionization” was practiced by Kim Jong Il, particularly within the central party.  Nearly every current member of the central leadership has gone through the process (at least once).

In viewing the film Dong-a Ilbo finds KJU referring to his mother, Ko Yong Hui:

Airing a documentary on Kim called “Inheriting the Great Achievements of the Military-first Revolution of (Mount) Baekdu,” the North`s Korean Central TV contained the leader`s statements in which he mentioned his mother, Koh Young Hee. The mention appeared in a section of the program in which Kim Jong Un emphasizes loyalty to his father.

The program`s narrator quoted Kim Jong Un as saying, “Once on Feb. 16 (Kim Jong Il’s birthday), (Kim Jong Un) spent all night with his mother waiting for the General (Kim Jong Il), who had yet to return from an onsite inspection tour.” Since Kim Jong Un debuted as successor at a Workers` Party convention in September 2009, North Korean media has not mentioned his mother for nearly three years.

Ko Yong Hui “basked in” Kim Jong Il’s “special affections.”  She attended to him while he recuperated from a severe concussion and, later on, after Kim Il Sung died in July 1994.  Her actual political influence on KJI’s calculations remains open to interpretation by Pyongyang watchers.  Ko’s increasing power, or the perception thereof, in the 1990s frightened some members of the Kim Family and other DPRK elites.  The waxing influence of “the button nose” factored into Song Hye Rang’s decision to leave the country in 1996.

Kim Jong Nam

Song’s nephew and KJI’s eldest son, Kim Jong Nam, had a series of exchanges with a Japanese journalist beginning in January 2011.  The content of those exchanges will be released on 20 January (Friday).  Jong Nam told the journalist that “the existing power elite will probably take over my father’s authority, making Jong Un a symbol.”  AFP (via Korea Herald) reports:

The reporter interviewed Kim in Macao and Beijing last year for a total of around seven hours, the agency said.

Jong-Un was propelled to power by the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, which was announced on December 19.

His half-brother Jong-Nam has lived in virtual exile, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, for many years after falling out of favour with his father, who in turn inherited the rule of the impoverished country from his own father.

Two years ago and with his health rapidly deteriorating, Kim Jong-Il moved Jong-Un — believed to be in his late 20s — into the position of designated successor, giving him military posts and raising his profile.

Jong-Nam last year gave an interview to the Tokyo Shimbun in which he said he opposed the idea of a power transfer within North Korea’s first family.

“Hereditary succession did not happen even under Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong,” he said at the time. “(Hereditary succession) does not fit socialism and my father was against it.”

Tokyo Shimbun said Jong-Nam did not directly respond to questions over whether he attended the elaborate funeral and memorial ceremony for his father in North Korea.

Earlier this month, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported Jong-Nam secretly visited Pyongyang after learning about his father’s death, and before it was publicly announced two days later.

 Kim Jong Nam had spoken to his father in early summer in 2011 and concluded that KJI’s health was deteriorating.

KJU Identified as head of Party Central Military Commission in DPRK Press

Kim Jong Un visits the casket bier of Kim Jong Il with other senior security officials and Korean People's Army (KPA) officers on 24 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

The DPRK media has identified Kim Jong Un as leading the Party Central Military Commission.  Yonhap reports:

North Korea’s main newspaper referred to the successor son of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as head of a key ruling Workers’ Party organ in a series of articles Monday, indicating that the son is on track to take full control of the communist nation.

One of the titles the late leader held before his Dec. 17 death was the party’s general secretary, a post that automatically makes its holder head of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission.

Last year, the late Kim named his third son, Kim Jong-un, as vice chairman of the commission while promoting him to the rank of a four-star general at the same time in his first official steps to hand power over to the young son believed to be in his late 20s.

On Monday, Pyongyang’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper referred to the successor son as head of the commission in a series of articles calling for loyalty to him, an indication that the son is acting as the commission’s chairman and the party’s general secretary.

It also suggests that the regime would start working to help the son to formally take over the top titles his late father held, including the party’s general secretary and the supreme commander of the North’s Korean People’s Army.

“All party organizations across the country are upholding great comrade Kim Jong-un’s ideology and leadership with one mind,” the newspaper said in an article. “Let’s stake our lives to safeguard the party’s Central Military Commission led by dear comrade Kim Jong-un.”

Jang Song Taek, who will facilitate Kim Jong Un’s assumption of KJI’s various positions, appeared with KJU and other members of the Central Military Commission and National Defense Commission at Ku’msusan on 24 December.  Jang was observed wearing a Korean People’s Army’s [KPA] uniform and holding the rank of 4-star general (taejang).  He was a member of the travel party which escorted KJU to the funeral hall.   Xinhua English reports on KJU’s appearance:

According to the KCNA, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and “supreme leader of revolutionary armed forces” visited the bier of late leader Kim Jong Il once again on Saturday, expressing profound condolences over his death. Accompanying Kim Jong Un during the visit were members of the WPK Central Military Commission and the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, major commanding officers of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), staff members of the KPA Supreme Command and commanding officers of the KPA’s large combined units, according to the KCNA. The participants “expressed their resolution that the KPA would be faithful to the leadership of Kim Jong Un with armed forces and firmly guard the cause of building a socialistic country,” said the report. Kim Jong Un visited Kim Jong Il’s bier on Dec. 20 and Dec. 23 respectively.

This is a simple illustration of the members and vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission and the major security organization directly subordinate to it.

This chart illustrates basic relationships between and within the National Defense Commission (government body), the Party Central Military Commission (party body) and selected DPRK security organizations which fall under the Korean People's Army

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.

KJU Sister, KJI Wife Visit Kumsusan

A young woman in her 20's who may be Kim Jong Un's younger sister, Yo Jong, stands with members of the funeral committee on 21 December 2011 (Photo: KCTV grab)

Pyongyang watchers and ROK media are closely examining images of a young woman in her twenties photographed standing behind Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) as he received mourners at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace on 21 December.  In footage broadcast on Korean Central TV, the woman is seen standing behind Jong Un, to the left of funeral committee members Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop) and Kang Sok Ju (Kang Sok-chu).  Immediate speculation points to the woman being Kim Yo Jong (Kim Yo’-cho’ng), Jong Un’s younger sister and KJI’s youngest known offspring.

A woman (marked in red circle), probably in her 20s, receives mourners at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, where North Korean leader Kim Jong-il lies in state. (Korean Central TV)

Kim Yo Jong posed for this commemorative photo with her siblings and party propaganda chief and long time KJI friend, Kim Ki Nam, at Wonsan University of Agriculture in Kangwon Province in May 2009. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Ms. Kim was observed at a commemorative photo session after the 3rd Party Conference in September 2010.  She also attended a May 2009 visit with her father to Wo’nsan Agricultural University where she posed for a commemorative photo with Jong Un, their older brother Kim Jong Chol (Kim Cho’ng-ch’o'l) and Party Secretary of Publicity and Information [Propaganda] Kim Ki-nam.  The visit to the school was a significant event in the early phase of Jong Un’s succession campaign.  At that time, KJI was introducing his son to key elites and the internal security services had commenced education and indoctrination efforts in support of KJU.

Chosun Ilbo reports:

A person believed to be the younger sister of the successor to the North Korean leadership appeared on state TV on Wednesday. The woman, clad in black traditional costume, was spotted weeping behind Kim Jong-un as he greeted mourners at Kumsusan Memorial Hall in Pyongyang where dead leader Kim Jong-il lies in state.

An intelligence source said, “She looks slimmer than in the photos we have of her, perhaps because she’s been crying a lot, but our analysis confirms she is Kim Yeo-jong (24).”

Kim Jong-il had two sons and one daughter with his third wife Ko Yong-hui. The elder son Jong-chol (30) was passed over for the leadership because his father reportedly thought him effeminate, but Yeo-jong apparently remained in her father’s favor.

Yeo-jong is said to work in the powerful organizational Department of the Workers Party. An intelligence official said, “Kim Jong-il ousted all his brothers in a power struggle, but gave his sister Kim Kyong-hui the position of party chief and member of the party’s political department. Kim Jong-un will probably give Yeo-jong a title too.”

Others believe the woman spotted in the North Korean Central TV broadcast on Wednesday is Kim Jong-un’s wife. A source familiar with North Korean affairs said, “We have been hearing rumors that Kim Jong-un married a woman from Chongjin who graduated from Kim Il-sung University.” But a government source said, “Talk that Kim Jong-un got married is just a rumor. It is unimaginable that they would expose a secret wife to the North Korean public on state TV.”

Meanwhile, Kim Ok (47), a director of the National Defense Commission who was Kim Jong-il’s de facto fourth wife, was spotted on TV weeping in front of the body and bowing to Jong-un. North Koreans do not know she was Kim Jong-il’s wife.

A woman who resembles Kim Ok (L) greeting Kim Jong Un and members of the funeral committee on 21 December 2011 at Ku'msusan Memorial Hall (Photo: KCTV grab)

When Kim Yo Jong attended the commemorative photo session of 3rd Party Conference participants, she was seen standing along side Kim Jong Il’s 5th (some would say 4th) wife Kim Ok.  Kim Ok was observed in KCTV coverage visiting KJI’s bier and bowing to Kim Jong Un.  She was part of a group of officials from KJI’s Personal Secretariat, and she was preceded in the receiving line by Jon Il Chun (Cho’n Il-chun), section chief of Office #39.  Mr. Jon was prominently seen in attendance at KJI’s last reported public appearance at the Kwangbok supermarket.

A woman bowing to Kim Jong Un who resembles Kim Ok, the 5th wife of the late Kim Jong Il, on 21 December 2011 (KCTV grab)

Kim Jong Il departs the summit talks with Dmitry Medvedev, seen at the right is his current wife Kim Ok

Jon Il Chun, section chief and party deputy director, walks by members of funeral committee after bowing to Kim Jong Un on 21 December 2011 (Photo: KCTV grab)

Kim Jong Un Attends KJI’s Wake

In this photo released by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s official KCNA news agency, the body of DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il lies in the bier at the Kumsusan Memorial in Pyongyang, DPRK, Dec. 20, 2011. Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), paid his respects Tuesday at the bier of his father and DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il, official KCNA news agency reported. (Xinhua/KCNA)

Kim Jong Un visits the casket bier of his father, the late DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Il on 20 December 2011 in Pyongyang. Seen in attendance behind him are three Vice-chairmen of the National Defense Commission (L-R): Jang Song Taek; O Kuk Ryol; and Ri Yong Mu (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Jang Song Taek, walks to Kim Jong Il's casket bier with his wife, Kim Kyong Hui, KJI's sister (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited Kim Jong Il’s casket bier (i.e. attended the wake) on Tuesday, 20 December, along with his aunt, Kim Kyong Hui (Kim Kyo’ng-hu’i), her husband Jang Song Taek (Chang So’ng-t’aek) and other members of the DPRK’s central leadership.  KJI lies in state in a room at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace “to receive visitors between 20 and 27 December.”  KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, together with senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs, visited the bier of Kim Jong Il to express deep condolences with the bitterest grief.

The Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the mourning place, was in a solemn atmosphere.

The bier of Kim Jong Il was seen lying among flowers, covered by the red flag.

Marked on the front of the bier were the years of “1942-2011″ as well as the national emblem of the DPRK.

Seen before the bier were shoulder straps of the DPRK Marshal, Kim Il Sung Order, Kim Il Sung Prize, medals of the DPRK hero and labor hero and lots of other orders and medals the army and people of the DPRK presented to him in recognition of his great feats.

Seen beside the bier was a wreath from Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK.

Members of the National Funeral Committee were standing guard by the side of the bier and guards of honor of the three services of the Korean People’s Army and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards were standing on either side of the bier.

Amid the solemn playing of funeral music, Kim Jong Un entered the hall where Kim Jong Il lies in state.

Kim Jong Un observed a moment’s silence in the bitterest grief together with leading officials of the party, state and armed forces organs before going round the bier.

The participants remained long before the bier, wailing over the sudden and grievous death of Kim Jong Il, outstanding leader of the party, state and army, peerlessly illustrious commander of Songun and benevolent father of the people.

They included Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Yong Chun, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Ri Yong Mu, O Kuk Ryol, Kang Sok Ju, Pyon Yong Rip, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Rak Hui, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ju Kyu Chang, U Tong Chuk and Kim Chang Sop.

National Defense Commission Vice-chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, VMar Kim Yong Chun (R) salutes Kim Jong Un on 20 December 2011, as members of the DPRK leadership visit Kim Jong Il's casket bier. Also seen in this image are Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (L), director of the political bureau of the Ministry of State Security, and Gen. O Kuk Ryol, Vice-chairman of the NDC. Partially obscured in the 1st row (2nd R) is VMar Ri Yong Mu, Vice-chairman of the NDC, and in the 2nd row, Ju Kyu Chang, director of the party's military industry department (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Members of the Korean Workers' Party leadership file toward KJI's casket bier on 20 December 2011. Seen in this image (front to rear) are: Party Control Commission Chairman Kim Kuk Thae; CC KWP Department Director and KJI's sister Kim Kyong Hui; NDC Vice-chairman and CC KWP Department Director Jang Song Taek, her husband; Senior Deputy Director of the KPA General Political Department, Gen. Kim Jong Gak; and, CC KWP Secretary and Department Director, Kim Ki Nam (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Members of the DPRK's central leadership bow at Kim Jong Il's casket on 20 December 2011. Seen in the image (L-R) are: Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission); VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission); VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission); VMar Ri Yong Ho (Chief of the KPA General Staff); Kim Jong Un (Vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission); Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium); Choe Yong Rim (Premier of the DPRK Cabinet); and, Jon Pyong Ho (Chief KWP Secretary and Political Director of the DPRK Cabinet) (Photo: KCNA)

In Beijing Chinese President Hu Jintao, along with members of the PRC’s political leadership made a condolence call to the DPRK Embassy.  Kyodo News Agency reports that President Hu will attend the 28 December state funeral for KJI, citing the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy.  In a brief story, the center cited “a well-informed” source that said Hu would travel to Pyongyang.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L, front), also Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, goes to the embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing to express condolences on the passing away of top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 20, 2011. A member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and top legislator Wu Bangguo, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Changchun, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice President Xi Jinping accompanied Hu to the embassy of the DPRK in Beijing. (Xinhua)

DPRK Ambassador to the PRC Ji Jae Ryong arrives arrives at an airport in Beijing for a return flight to the DPRK. Ji is ranked at #180 on the funeral committee list released by DPRK media on 19 December. He was a key operative in the KIS Youth League in the 1970s, a key base of support for Kim Jong Il's own succession, and has close ties to Jang Song Taek (Photo: Yonhap)

Xinhua English reports on Hu’s embassy visit.

China expects to make joint efforts with the comrades of the DPRK to effectively consolidate, construct and develop the traditionally friendly relations with the DPRK, Hu said. Hu said the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people experienced deep grief over comrade Kim Jong Il’s death. He said comrade Kim Jong Il was a great party and state leader for the DPRK, as well as an intimate friend of the Chinese people. Kim dedicated his entire life and rendered his immortal service to the DPRK’s socialist revolution and construction. He also made important contributions to advancing the development of the China-DPRK traditional friendly relationship of cooperation. The Chinese people will remember him forever, he said. Hu expressed the belief that the people of the DPRK will definitely carry on at the behest of comrade Kim Jong Il, closely unite around the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK), turn their grief into strength under the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un, and make unremitting efforts for the construction of a strong socialist country and the realization of sustainable peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Wu Bangguo, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and top legislator, Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice President Xi Jinping, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Hu to the DPRK Embassy in Beijing. President Hu and other senior leaders stepped close to the portrait of comrade Kim Jong Il, presented wreaths and silently grieved over the death of Kim Jong Il. Afterwards, they bowed to the portrait three times. Pak Myong Ho, charge d’affaires of the DPRK Embassy, thanked President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders for coming to mourn the death of the DPRK’s top leader. Pak said comrade Kim Jong Il had made great efforts and contributions to the development of the friendship between China and the DPRK. Kim’s sudden passing is the greatest loss of the DPRK party and revolution, and it is the greatest grief of the people and nation of the DPRK. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, the people of the DPRK will turn grief into strength and courage, overcome current difficulties and strive to advance the socialist cause of the DPRK, Pak said. Pak said the DPRK will work with the Chinese side to further strengthen friendship and expand the traditional China-DPRK friendly relationship of cooperation, he said The CPC Central Committee, the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee and the Central Military Commission also sent wreaths to the embassy. Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee member and Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong, Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee member and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Ling Jihua, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee head Wang Jiarui and Director of the President’s Office Chen Shiju also accompanied President Hu to express their condolences at the embassy.

Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, devotes the front page of its Dec. 20, 2011 edition to a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who died of a heart attack on Dec. 17. The phrase beside the portrait reads, "Great leader comrade Kim Jong-il will live eternally (in people's mind)." This photo is a capture from the paper's Web site. (Yonhap)

Headlines on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il with his picture are carried on the front pages of South Korea's major morning papers published on Dec. 20, 2011, one day after North Korea announced his death. (Yonhap)

Xinhua English also reported on condolence messages sent by Russia, the Phillipines, Cambodia and Indonesia.  First,  Russia:

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has expressed condolences on the death of Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Kremlin press service reported Monday.

Medvedev also held a phone conversation with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak concerning Kim’s death, according to the report. The two leaders discussed several issues of common concern, including regional integration and stability, the report said.

Also Monday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Kim’s passing would not affect relations between Russia and the DPRK.

“The DPRK is our neighbor. We maintain a good-neighborly relationship. Of course, we hope that the loss of Kim Jong Il will not have any impact on the development of our friendly relations with the DPRK,” Lavrov said.

The Phillipines:

“We express the hope that the DPRK government will facilitate a smooth transition to a new leadership,” the statement said.

“The Philippine government values its relations with the DPRK and will continue to cooperate with them to intensify the promotion and maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region, including in the Korean Peninsula, to ensure the region’s continued prosperity,” it said.

“The Philippines looks forward to a continued engagement with the DPRK, and is thankful for their continued support in improving Philippine-DPRK relations, including the protection and promotion of the rights and well-being of Filipino nationals,” the statement said.

Cambodia:

“Cambodia is very sorry for the death of Kim Jong Il,” said Kanharith, who is also the Minister of Information. “This is a great loss for the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

“We hope that the unification plan between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea will still continue peacefully for the interests of the Korean peninsula, regionanl and global peace,” he told reporters at the Ministry.

Koy Kuong, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “Despite the death of Kim Jong Il, the good relations and cooperation between Cambodia and the DPRK are unchanged.”

Indonesia:

“On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, the President of the Republic of Indonesia expresses his deepest condolences on the passing away of the Supreme Leader of the DPRK His Excellency Kim Jong Il,” said the statement.

It said that Indonesia offers its prayer to the bereaved family as well as the government and people of the DPRK, so that they have the strength and forbearance in overcoming this moment of loss.

“The government and people of Indonesia have no doubt that North Korea will be able to overcome this difficult period and to make further progress in accordance with the aspiration of the North Korean people and nation,” it said.

The statement also said that Indonesia has every confidence that the DPRK will continue its commitment to contribute to the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific region in general.

Former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who knew KJI, released a condolence message.  Kyodo reports:

”For me, His Excellency Kim Jong Il was a figure of a leader who had a strong character in his political belief and heavily fought for maintaining the sovereignty of his country,” Megawati said in a condolence statement.

”Under his leadership, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea could face heavy challenges and even could stand on their own feet in the economic sector thank to the unity between the people and their leader,” she added.

According to her, as Kim’s friend, she felt ”a very huge loss.” ”Our relations as brother and sister had been lasting very long,” she said.

Megawati and Kim were friends dating back to their first encounter in 1964 when she accompanied her father, then Indonesia President Sukarno, on a visit to Pyongyang.

Indonesia has been trying to facilitate peace on the Korean Peninsula since Megawati’s administration.

In 2002, she visited North Korea — the first Indonesian president to visit the country since her father’s trip in 1964.

And even after she stepped down in 2004, she used her relationship with Kim to try to persuade him to return to the negotiating table.

Qatar News Agency reports that its Emir sent a message to Kim Jong Un:

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to North Korean President Kim Jong-un on the death of president Kim Jong-il.

HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has also sent a cable of condolences to the North Korean President on the death of the late president.

AFP reports that Iran has sent condolence messages:

“I was much saddened when I was informed of the passing of Mr Kim Jong-Il, great leader of the friendly nation, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea,” read Larijani’s message to his North Korean counterpart, Choe Tae-Bok.

“On behalf of myself and my colleagues in parliament… I would like to express my sympathy to your government and nation and offer my condolences to you and his family,” the message said.

Both North Korea and Iran are subject to international sanctions over their nuclear activities, and the two countries’ governments share a deep hostility towards the United States.

Pyongyang is also suspected of transferring banned ballistic missile technology to Tehran.

A confidential UN report, parts of which AFP gained access to in May this year, asserted that missile-related items were flown from North Korea to Iran on regular commercial flights by the countries’ respective flagship airlines.

KCNA reported a condolence message sent by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.  This was DPRK media’s first reference to a condolence message directly addressed to Kim Jong Un from a foreign leader.  Interestingly while KJI recuperated from his August 2008 stroke (s), the first message he sent to a foreign government was to Russia.

President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev Monday sent a message of condolences to General Kim Jong Un.

It said: Respected Your Excellency Kim Jong Un

Allow me to express my deep condolences to you and the leadership of the DPRK and its people over the demise of Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

In Russia His Excellency Kim Jong Il is well known as the leader of a friendly state who did a lot for the strengthening and development of the traditional Russia-DPRK good neighborly relations.

I am sure that this line in the interests of our two countries and peoples will be inherited by the new leadership of the DPRK.

We are ready to closely cooperate with each other for further development of mutual cooperation and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Please accept my high consideration.

The second condolence message directly addressed to Kim Jong Un from a foreign leader came from Cuba’s Raul Castro.  KCNA reports:

The message said: Dear Comrade, I, on behalf of the Communist Party, government and people of Cuba, express most profound condolences to you over the demise of the great leader of the Korean people Comrade Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.

Please accept my best regards.

Cambodia sent condolence messages.  Despite having close ties to the Kim Family, however, 89-year old Great Prince Norodom Sihanouk will not attend the funeral because of his age and frail health.  His assistant, Prince Sisowath Thomico, told a Cambodia newspaper, “Even though lately His Majesty Samdech Father did not go to North Korea his relations with North Korea remain warm.”   KCNA reports:

The Cambodian government expressed condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Monday.

A spokesman for the Cambodian government said they are saddened by the news that Kim Jong Il passed away, adding this is the greatest loss to the Korean people.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia said that even though Kim Jong Il passed away, the relations of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and the DPRK will remain unchanged.

Jordan’s King Abdullah sent a condolence message to Kim Jong Un, according to The Jordan Times:

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday sent a cable to North Korean leader Kim Jong- un offering his deepest sympathies over the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

In the cable, the King also extended his condolences to the North Korean people.

The political leadership of Vietnam sent a condolence message to the Korean Workers’ Party.  Vietnam News Agency reports:

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has sent a message of condolences to the Central Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Workers ‘ Party over the death of its General Secretary, Kim Jong-il.

DPRK’s top leader died of heart failure on Dec. 17 at the age of 69.

On the same day, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi expressed deep sympathy over the death of the top leader of the DPRK.

“We offer the deepest condolences to the Party, State and people of the DPRK over the death of Kim Jong-il, General Secretary of the DPRK Workers’ Party, Chairman of the National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the DPRK People’s Army,” Nghi told reporters.

“We believe that the DPRK people will overcome this great loss to continue their national construction and development,” he said.

BERNAMA, Malaysia state press, reported on a message from its foreign ministry:

Malaysia today conveyed its condolences to the government and people of North Korea on the death of its leader Kim Jong-il.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, when contacted, also expressed the hope that the new leadership of the country would continue to work towards peace in the region.

 

Where Are You Tonight?

The DPRK-PRC border (yellow line) from Pyo'ktong County (Photo: Google image)

The county center of Pyo'ktong County, North P'yo'ngan Province (40 35' 23" N 125 19' 43"E) (Photo: Google image)

As 2011 draws to a close, several media reports have come out about DPRK citizens who are unaccounted for or difficult to locate.  On or around 20 November, eight (8) members of the Border Security Command’s 10th Brigade fled the DPRK for China.  During a routine shift change, two guard teams fled from Pyo’ktong County, North P’yo’ngan Province into the Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province.  Two of the guards were shot by other BSC guards during the escape.  Daily NK reports:

According to the source, the group of armed soldiers made their escape at around midnight. They were reportedly from the Byeokdong County in North Pyongan Province, which faces Kuandian County along the banks of the Yalu River.
It is still unclear whether the escapees clashed with Chinese soldiers during their escape. However, the rumor is that they paid off local soldiers to turn a blind eye, although there is also talk of some modest clashes.

The North Korean soldiers are believed to have belonged to a border guard brigade responsible for things like preventing defections and smuggling. The source says that the soldiers conspired to escape together in two teams during a guard change.

Usually during a night shift, one two-man team stands fifty meters apart on guard while another team of three or four patrols the area. There are no changeovers for those standing guard, but the patrol team switches once every two hours, meaning that the group defection probably took place while the patrol team was changing over.

According to the source, armed People’s Liberation Army personnel were dispatched to key locations around Kuandian County as soon as Chinese officials became aware of the incident, fearing the possibility of a shootout with the North Korean soldiers trying to escape. In particular, dozens of soldiers were placed at railway stations and other transit points to try and stop the escapees from trying to avoid detection and make their way further inland.

Armed Chinese soldiers could also be seen patrolling Dandong railway station and other areas as late as December 11th. This served to further increase tension in the area because of the ensuing ID checks, leading to incidences of people being unable to verify their identities being taken in. Chinese commuters were further inconvenienced by ticket inspections at two or three times their usual level.

For their part, the North Korean authorities are understood to have sent several dozen NSA agents directly to Dandong to work on apprehending the fugitives. Numbers of NSA agents have been particularly high in areas of large numbers of Koreans since the event. The authorities are trying to find the escapees on foot, searching Sanma Road (the ‘Korea-Town of Dandong’) as well as the Xinliu shopping district and development areas.

Immediately after the incident the jamming of electronic signals between China and Sinuiju appeared also to have been stepped up, with areas usually receiving adequate telephone reception constantly dropping out.

Ri Chun Hui finishes her report on Kim Jong Il's written interview with ITAR-TASS during the 19 October 2011 KCTV news broadcast (Photo: KCNA) news broadcast

Meanwhile, Japan’s Radiopress noticed that Ri Chun Hui (Ri Chun-hu’i) has not appeared on Korea Central TV’s news broadcasts in nearly two months.  Ri was last seen reading DPRK media’s account of Kim Jong Il’s interview with ITAR-TASS on 19 October.  Perhaps, she has remained behind the camera in the intervening weeks to allow more youthful broadcasters the chance to “gloriously inherit and develop the revolutionary tradition.”  Korea Real Time reports:

She speaks in an inimitable style that mixes a kind of breathy quality with whatever the news calls for – exuberance when talking about the dictator’s greatness and stentorian power when talking those awful governments in the U.S. or South Korea.

To an outsider, it’s a style that’s hard to take seriously, but it has earned Ms. Ri fans among the North Korean followers.

In recent days, news organizations in Japan that regularly monitor the North’s TV broadcasts say that Ms. Ri hasn’t been on the air since Oct. 19, when she read a statement her big boss Mr. Kim gave to Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency.

That’s a long stretch away from the nightly news in Pyongyang. And Mr. Kim has been busy during that time with his normal activities of attending concerts, visiting factories and giving the wave at military drills.

And in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovenia, Toru Tamakawa of Asahi Shimbun visits the local branch of the United World College.  Outside the students’ residence hall, Tamakawa may have encountered Kim Han Sol, the son of Kim Jong Nam and grandson of Kim Jong Il.  Asahi Japan Watch reports:

But when it comes to Kim Han Sol, everyone said, “We have been told not to say anything (about him).”

Then I felt I was being watched.

A short man with Asian features was watching me from behind a bus stop 20 meters away.

The man, with a crew cut and wearing a dark-brown jacket, was talking on a cellphone while watching me.

He was strange, so I decided to take a break somewhere and lose the man.

I stopped into a cafe and had coffee. After 15 minutes, the man had gone.

Whew.

I started walking again toward the dormitory.

Then somebody called to me from behind, “Are you a journalist?”

I turned and saw the man I had seen a while ago.

He fired more questions before I had answered his initial question.

“I am a journalist coming from South Korea. Are you coming from Japan? Which press? TV?”

He was smiling, but his eyes were not.

He was not carrying a camera, a notebook or a bag.

It was my turn to ask the questions.

“Which news agency do you belong to? Newspaper? Television?”

Without answering, the man suddenly ran toward the student dormitory.

Thereafter, I saw him many times around the school and the dormitory.

(Is he a security guard the North Korean authorities sent?)

(Or is he Kim Han Sol’s guardian?)

One thing was crystal clear–he was keeping an eye on the media.

The school dormitory was about a 30 minutes’ walk from the school.

The building has six stories and its exterior is painted a crisp blue and white.

I tried to talk with the dorm manager, but was told sharply, “No media are admitted.”

I waited outside the compound until it was almost night, but Kim Han Sol did not show up.

I decided to return the next morning.

It was still dark at 7 a.m. A young Asian-looking man wearing a blue jumper came out of the dormitory.

He was wearing black-framed glasses and had an earring in his left ear.

It was him, the youth whose picture had been posted on the Facebook social networking site.

His hair was black, unlike yellow as the Facebook photo showed.

“Hello, Mr. Han Sol,” I said to him in English.

No response at all.

He did not react when I pointed my camera at him, but simply kept walking without expression.

He seemed to be used to the media.

The youth believed to be Kim Han Sol did not utter a word all the way to school.

He was so confident and so aloof that it felt almost refreshing to be in his presence.

It was an odd feeling.