Personnel Changes

Rumors of the DPRK’s first post-KJI purge of senior military officials have surfaced in the South Korean press.  KBS and Chosun Ilbo reported that a deputy chief of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff was executed earlier this year for “sexual harassment.”  At about the same time a deputy (vice) minister of the People’s Armed Forces was dismissed and subsequently executed for drinking too much alcohol.  In the latter case, the deputy PAF minister was allegedly rendered into a grease spot on the wall after being hit with an 82 mm mortar round fired at close range.  VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), deputy (vice) director of the KPA General Political Department, was identified as having managed the executions and dismissals.

KPA VMar Kim Jong Gak (1st row, L)

These executions were the result of an order from the central leadership to ferret out military and party officials for insufficiently demonstrating grief around Kim Jong Il’s funeral and during the mourning period.  As KJI funeral events unfolded in late December 2011, several party cadres of the Personal Secretariat also seemed to fall by the wayside.  KBS World reports:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is known to have executed or fired some military officers and government officials for committing immoral acts during the mourning period of his father Kim Jong-il.

Sources familiar with North Korean affairs say a vice chief of North Korea’s General Staff was shot to death for his involvement in a sex scandal during the morning period. He was one of six or seven vice chairmen under North Korea’s Army Chief of the General Staff, Ri Yong-ho.

A vice minister of People’s Armed Forces was apparently shot to death as well for drinking alcohol with a female official.

The source said that the dean of Kim Hyung-jik College of Education was dismissed for arriving late at the funeral for Kim Jong-il. A secretary at the Ministry of Land and Marine Transport was also fired for failing to appropriately make arrangement for condolence flowers.

The source also said that in January Kim Jong-un ordered the dismissal of anyone who failed to observe the mourning period.

Chosun Ilbo reported that several unit commanders were also executed, in addition to the two officials from the high command:

“When Kim Jong-un became North Korean leader following the mourning period for his father in late December, high-ranking military officers started disappearing,” the source said. “From information compiled over the last month, we have concluded that dozens of military officers were purged.” The source added Kim Jong-un ordered loyal officials to “get rid of” anyone caught misbehaving during the mourning period for Kim Jong-il.

But contrary to reports that an assistant chief of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces was put in front of a firing squad for being drunk during the mourning period, he was executed using a mortar round in line with Kim’s orders to leave “no trace of him behind, down to his hair.”

The source said the official was placed on the spot where the round would hit, and the grisly execution obliterated him.

Besides the assistant chief and an assistant chief of the General Staff Department, frontline commanders were also executed, the source said.

Kim Jong-il also purged dissenters after the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994. Even those caught for minor infractions were executed by a firing squad.

But Kim Jong-un’s methods appear even more brutal. A source familiar with North Korea said, “It appears that the loyalty pledged by the military did not satisfy the young leader, who is sensitive about his age.” Kim junior is 28 or 29.

The source said the drastic measures may have been proposed by Kim’s confidant Kim Jong-gak (62), the first deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean People’s Army.

Outgoing Kim Il Sung Youth League 1st Secretary Ri Yong Chol (highlighted) applauds during the national report meeting held on Kim Jong Il's birthday on 15 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Meanwhile, Ri Yong Chol (Ri Yo’ng-ch’o'l) has been replaced as the head of the Kim Il Sung Youth League [KISYL].  Ri was replaced by Jon Yong Nam during the KISYL annual meeting which was held on Thursday (22 March).  During the fall of 2011, Ri led a KISYL delegation on an overseas excursion to the UK and Greece and in November 2011 Ri led a large KISYL delegation on a brief visit to China where they met with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.  KCNA reports:

The 47th plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League was held in Pyongyang on Thursday.

At the meeting former First Secretary Ri Yong Chol was relieved of his post for his age reason and Jon Yong Nam was elected to the post.

KJI National Memorial Service Held

Members of the DPRK central leadership bow during a national memorial service for Kim Jong Il on 29 December 2011 in Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang. In this image (L-R) are: Jang Song Taek (NDC Vice-chairman and Administration Director for the party); Kim Ki Nam (party secretary and director of propaganda and agitation); Gen. O Kuk Ryol (NDC Vice-chairman); VMar Ri Yong Mu (NDC Vice-chairman, members of the Kim Family); VMar Kim Yong Chun (NDC Vice-chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces); VMar Ri Yong Ho (chief of the KPA General Staff and Vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission); Kim Jong Un (Vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission); and Kim Yong Nam (President of the SPA Presidium) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

The DPRK conducted a national memorial service for Kim Jong Il on the morning of 29 December in Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang.  His son and hereditary successor, Kim Jong Un, stood in the center of the reviewing stand in the spot where, in the past, KJI was seen watching military parades.  KCNA reports:

Present there were members of the National Funeral Committee, Nam Sung U, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, officials of the party, state, armed forces and power bodies, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, men and officers of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, culture, arts, public health and media, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, mourners delegations from all provinces, people of all social standings, a mourners delegation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters in China, those related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle in China, families of Chinese related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and their parties, mourners groups of overseas Koreans and other overseas Koreans, the chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries, members of the military attaches corps and representatives of international organizations here and foreign guests.

All the participants in the memorial service observed a moment’s silence in humblest reverence in memory of Kim Jong Il who worked heart and soul to accomplish the cause of building a thriving socialist nation till the last moments of his great life.

Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, made a memorial address.

He said:

Kim Jong Il, who devoted energies and tireless efforts to the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche, national reunification and global independence, passed away so suddenly and so early to our regret. This is the greatest loss to the WPK and the revolution and the biggest loss to the nation which no one could have ever imagined.

All the people, men and women of all ages, who suffered the greatest loss of the nation, unbelievable, visited the bier of Kim Jong Il and the mourning stations in the whole mourning period to mourn his demise in humblest reverence.

Born as the son of guerrillas in Mt. Paektu, the holy mountain of the revolution, Kim Jong Il led the revolution and construction to victory with his brilliant wisdom, outstanding ideas and theories, extraordinary leadership ability and noble virtues for a long period, performing the undying revolutionary feats for the country, the nation, the times and history.

He made a new history of accomplishing the cause of perpetuating the memory of President Kim Il Sung with his noblest revolutionary moral obligation, making sure that the lofty revolutionary life and feats of the President were enshrined in the hearts of the Korean people and mankind to shed rays forever.

The revolutionary career of Kim Jong Il was a history of a heroic epic of the Songun brilliant commander born of Heaven and peerlessly great man who defended the sovereignty of the DPRK and put the dignity of the country on the highest level while resolutely shattering the moves of the imperialist allied forces for sanctions, pressure and moves for a war with arms.

Not putting off a jumper all his life, he made forced marches with his indefatigable efforts for field guidance to bring a happy life to the Korean people, considering a day as ten, nay a hundred days. We can never forget this dedication and efforts made by him.

He was, indeed, an outstanding statesman, peerlessly great man and a great sage of the revolution who steadily advanced the Korean revolution along the road of victory.

Prompted by his noble mission to carve out the destiny of the country and the nation and the future of the revolution, he gave a steady continuity to the tradition of the revolutionary cause of Juche, the Songun revolutionary cause which started on Mt. Paektu.

He perfectly solved the issue of the succession to the leadership, the hardcore in succeeding to the revolutionary cause. This was the noblest feat he performed for the destiny of the country and the eternal prosperity of all generations to come.

Standing at the helm of the Korean revolution is Kim Jong Un, the successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche.

Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader of our party and army and people as he fully personified the ideas and leadership, personality, virtues, grit and courage of Kim Jong Il.

We will turn sorrow into thousand-fold strength and courage and tide over the present difficulties and more dynamically advance along the road of Songun indicated by Kim Jong Il under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

We, who made a pledge in bitter tears before the bier of Kim Jong Il, will accomplish the cause of the Songun revolutionary cause, the cause of building a thriving socialist nation, holding Kim Jong Un in high esteem as another General and supreme leader.

The noble and august name of Kim Jong Il and his image with a broad smile on his face will shine for all ages and he will always live in the hearts of the servicepersons and people of the DPRK.

Kim Ki Nam, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, spoke at the memorial service on behalf of the WPK, Kim Jong Gak, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and first vice director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, on behalf of the KPA and Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, on behalf of the youth and students.

Kim Yong Nam speaks during the national memorial service for Kim Jong Il on 29 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

A view of the leadership's reviewing stand and a smiling portrait of Kim Jong Il during the national memorial service for KJI on 29 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Korea Herald reported about what may come next for Kim Jong Un:

On the surface, the hereditary power succession appears to be well underway with the North’s sate media hailing him as top leader of both the ruling party and the 1.2-million-strong military.

On the Wednesday’s edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the party’s official daily, top officials in support of Jong-un pledged allegiance to him, saying they would “uphold his leadership” to achieve the goal of becoming a power state.

Despite the media blitz intended to boost his legitimacy as next leader, experts point out that what is urgent for him is to build a strong leadership to ensure loyalty from the power echelon and grassroots.

For the short term, Jong-un will smoothly lead the country with his so-called guardians assisting him in managing state affairs, they said, noting that support for him could erode in the event of policy flip-flops and power struggles.

“The possibility is high that the sole leadership system will weaken given his young age, lack of experience and a short grooming period. In the future, his regime cannot help but falter,” said Chung Kyu-sup, North Korea expert at Kwandong University.

Chung added that for the time being, Jong-un will follow the policy direction his father has set while avoiding making risky decisions to stabilize his country.

“As it basically has to maintain the closed society to continue the third-generation succession and sole leadership system, there is almost no possibility that the North will immediately move in the direction of reform, openness and renouncement of nuclear ambitions,” he said.

Jeung Young-tae, senior researcher at Korea Institute for National Unification, said that Jong-un may not be able to control all powerful state and party organs by himself in the way his father had done.

However, Jeung underscored as the vested interests in the North want stability, the status quo will be maintained least for several years.

“He is, in fact, too weak to control all organs as his father had done. He may control them indirectly with assistance from his supporters. Leaders of the organs, however, could move against him in the future, but for now, things will be smooth on the surface,” he said.

KJI’s funeral program (i.e. the two days of ceremonies and motorcade) marked the official debut of the DPRK new-ish central leadership, according to Hankyoreh:

Kim Jong-un→Jang Song-thaek→Kim Ki-nam→Choe Thae-bok→Ri Yong-ho→Kim Yong-chun→Kim Jong-gak→U Tong-chuk (presumed). This was the list of the North Korean leadership who escorted the hearse at the funeral of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Wednesday. Observers interpret this as perhaps a signal that they will form the core leadership that will lead North Korea under the post-Kim Jong-il system of Kim Jong-un. With the eyes of the North Korean people and the world on them, these major North Korean leadership figures watched over the departed Kim and his incoming successor, Kim Jong-un, the closest.

The most significant thing was the appearance order of National Defence Commission vice chairman Jang Song-thaek. With the exception of Jang, the other figures generally followed the same rank as they were on the funeral committee. On the right side of the hearse were figures from the Workers’s Party of Korea and state like party secretary Kim Ki-nam, who was 8th on the funeral committee list, and Supreme People’s Assembly chairman Choe Thae-bok, who was 9th. On the left side of the hearse were military figures: chief of general staff of the Korean People’s Army and WPK Central Military Commission vice chairman Ri Yong-ho, who was 4th; defense minister Kim Yong-chun, who was 5th; and first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army Kim Jong-gak, who was 24th. Jang, on the other hand, was listed at only 19th on the funeral commission list, but he stood right behind Kim Jong-un. This is interpreted as a scene symbolically showing that Jang is playing the role of central guardian of the Kim Jong-un regime, regardless of his official position on the funeral committee list. On Dec 25, Jang appeared on Korea Central TV in a general’s uniform to pay his respects at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, signaling that along with the military leadership he would play the role of pivot of the supporting forces of the Kim Jong-un system.

It is also noteworthy that each of these figures could be seen as representing the WPK, the state and the military leadership. University of North Korean Studies professor Yang Moo-jin said one could view Jang as representing the National Defence Commission, the highest leadership body according to the North Korean constitution; Kim Ki-nam as representing the WPK; and Choe as representing the Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s highest sovereign body. Meanwhile, on the military leadership side, it appears Ri came to represent the general staff of the KPA, Kim Yong-chun came to represent the defense ministry, and Kim Jong-gak came to represent the General Political Bureau, the three major organizations within the military, he said. Along the same lines, some also observe that it could have been a calculated scene to plant the impression that the major figures of the party, National Defence Commission and military leadership who advised Kim Jong-il would follow the Kim Jong-un regime with loyalty. The inclusion of Kim Ki-nam, a WPK secretary in charge of propaganda, was the second party official on the list, coming just after Kim Kuk-thae (7th), Inspection Committee Chairman of the WPK Central Committee; this appears to have been out of consideration that Kim is a close aide who has handled the propaganda efforts of the Kim Jong-un regime.

Some obervers think the positioning of the military leaders in other order of Ri, Kim Yong-chun and Kim Jong-gak could be seen as meaning that the “palace guard” of Ri and Kim Jong-gak would lead, while at the same time embracing old guard figures like Kim Yong-chun, who some believed had been forced out by forces close to Kim Jong-un. The positing could be seen as intended to show that the regime is already firmly securing the loyalty of the old guard rather than form a new military leadership.

JoongAng Ilbo published a series of profiles about key DPRK elites who will form the basis of Jong Un’s political support, including central party secretary Choe Ryong Hae, National Defense Commission member and General Political Department senior deputy director Gen. Kim Jong Gak and Pyongyang power couple Jang Song Taek and Kim Kyong Hui.  The first in the series focused on VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff:

Ri’s prominence highlights the fact that the military will continue to have a central role in Pyongyang – and possibly a larger role than when Kim Jong-il was alive. But he also may play the role of a guardian protecting the new, young leader.

Born in 1942 – the same year as Kim Jong-il – Ri grew up in Tongchon, Kangwon Province, in North Korea, the same hometown as the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung. In September 2003, Ri was appointed lieutenant general of the Army and was promoted to general in 2009. Just a year and half later in September 2010, he became vice marshal of the Army and the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, holding equal rank as Jong-un.

Experts speculate that his speedy promotion was related to the succession plan for Kim Jong-un, who made his first public appearance at that time.

When Ri was lieutenant general, he was in charge of tightening security in Pyongyang, a critical job that Kim Jong-il assigned only to someone he completely trusted. He also commanded the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Army in 2007.

When Ri was made general in February 2009, Ri was also made the Army’s chief of staff, replacing Kim Kyok-sik.

Kim Kyok-sik was sent to the strategically important city of Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, on the Yellow Sea, as commander of the Fourth Army Corps, which oversees the western frontline. He is suspected to have directed the torpedoing of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March 2010. But Kim, who was considered one of the closest confidants of Kim Jong-il, did not make it onto the funeral committee.

Gen. Kim Myo'ng-kuk (highlighted) clutches a radio while directing KPA officers and service members during KJI's funeral cortege on 28 December (Photo: KCNA)

One key member of the leadership seen walking with KJI’s Lincoln hearse at the end of the cortege on 28 December was Gen. Kim Myong Guk (Kim Myo’ng-kuk), head of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau [GSOB].  To many Pyongyang watchers, Gen. Kim was usually observed standing behind KJI during military parades and exercises.  Prior to his demise, KJI ensured that Kim Jong Un was photographed with Gen. Kim.

One of the mystery women, standing behind members of the central leadership during a visit to KJI's casket bier (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

When KJI was alive, this Pyongyang watcher puzzled over the hidden members of his entourage.  These individuals were always airbrushed from the KCNA shots and their names did not turn up in DPRK media reports, but one could occasionally catch sight of them in the official documentary films about KJI’s activities.  Until September 2010, Kim Jong Un was one of these people.  In addition to the prominent presence of Kim Yo Jong, at KJI’s funeral, Korea Times has found another mystery girl.  Very few cross Jang Song Taek’s path at an official event and walk way from it:

Kim Jong-un, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party, was seen paying his last respects to his father accompanied by ranking officials in a video of the funeral service on North Korea Central TV at around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

In additional footage a young woman is seen next to Jong-un’s aunt Kim Kyung-hee, chief of the Light Industry Ministry within the Workers’ Party, along with another lady presumed to be his sister, Kim Yeo-jeong.

The lady entered Gumsusan Memorial Hall, where the body of the late Kim was laid, along with new leader Kim Jong-un, 20-30 top political leaders, several security guards, Kim Kyung-hee and Kim Yeo-jeong, Yonhap News reported.

The lady stands close to vice chairman Kim dressed in black like the two other women who appeared from the outset. She was slender with a stylish hairdo.

The lady, half hidden by a pillar, was looking at Kim Jong-un who was paying respects with his head deeply bowed. She had her hands folded in front of her, unlike the two women who also paid respects to the late Kim.

She was also seen passing alone without hesitation in front of “second man” Chang Sung-thaek and Jong-un’s sister, who were entering the hall.

After watching the footage, North Korean experts presumed that she was the wife of Kim Jong-un, the news agency reported.

No one, except Vice Chairman Kim’s wife, would have dared to pass in front of “second man” Chang Sung-thaek and the younger sister of the new leader in an easy manner.

Rumors have been circulating in the North that Kim Jong-un married a woman who had graduated from Kim Il-sung University last year, Yonhap reported.

It was also circulated that the lady could be Kim Seol-song, 37, or Kim Chun-song, 35, who were born between the late Kim and his second wife Kim Young-suk, an expert said.

But he added that it is highly unlikely for half sisters to show up at the funeral service in the North Korean political climate which bans those not belonging to the main family line from attending such an important event.

Other experts presume that the lady may be a personal secretary of the junior Kim.

No one beats the personal secretary of the top leader in the North in terms of power.

Kim Ok, the fourth wife of the late Kim Jong-il, was a personal secretary of the late Kim.

No stranger to mystery girls and mystery men, James Church, the supreme guru on most anything DPRK, writes on 38 North about an event which was not completely unexpected:

Unless Kim Jong Il showed symptoms in the days just before his heart attack on December 17 that alarmed his retinue, it is probably true that the specific date of his death was a surprise and a shock. But does that mean there had been no preparations for such an eventuality? Apparently, Kim had nearly died in July 2008 from a stroke; for some period of time (many days) after his stroke, he was probably incapacitated, maybe incapable of giving orders or even understanding what was going on. Subsequently, his death might have been a taboo subject to discuss, but all in the leadership who were close to the situation knew that it was not an abstraction anymore, and that some plan had to be put in place for the next time.

This would not have been done behind Kim’s back, and certainly not in the face of his opposition. But was he opposed? The succession process of Jong Un, already on track before July 2008, was put into high gear not long afterwards. And although those of us on the outside were kept pretty much in the dark about Kim Jong Un throughout much of 2009, there is good reason to believe that his existence and even his likely status as successor-to-be was not kept a secret from the population. I cannot say that every farmer in every remote county in Jagang Province knew his name, but the party Propaganda and Agitation Department was seemingly already hard a work constructing and disseminating his legend among the general population.

In other words, Kim Jong Un’s emergence at the WPK conference in September 2010 was not a surprise to anyone in North Korea who had been paying attention, and that probably included most of the adult population. Similarly, from the way the media treated the son during the first 11 months of 2011, there could be no doubt that he was approaching a coequal status with Kim Jong Il (I said “approaching”) and was already considered by the elder Kim as his successor. If that is true, then there was likely no shock, no gap, no basis for a whisper of complaint by late in the day on December 17 when upon Kim’s death having been confirmed and reported to at least a select few in the leadership, the Guard Command moved to envelope Kim Jong Un in the protective security cocoon designated for No. 1.

There is undoubtedly beating within the breast of at least one general officer in the Korean People’s Army a vengeful heart. Who that might be we won’t know until: 1) he suddenly disappears or 2) he makes a successful grab for power. Will such a heart also beat in the ranks of the regency group of elders organized to tutor, guide, and nurture Kim Jong Un, helping steer him over and around the swamps on his path to taking full power? That’s a possibility, but more likely the members of this group were selected exactly because there was no question of their loyalty to Kim Jong Il and his plans for the future, most especially the plans for install Kim Jong Un as successor.

Kim Jong Il himself had a regency group of sorts helping him during the early years of his grooming to be successor. By the time he took over in 1994, however, he had his hands firmly on the levers of power, and had no need of senior protectors.

KJI Funeral Program Begins

Jang Song Taek (L) and Kim Jong Un (R) walk beside the hearse carrying Kim Jong Il's casket to a funeral ceremony in Pyongyang on 28 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

A hearse carrying Kim Jong Il's casket arrives for a funeral ceremony at Ku'msusan Memorial Hall in Pyongyang on 28 December 2011. (Photo: KCNA)

The two-day funeral service for Kim Jong Il began with a cortege which ran through the streets of Pyongyang on the afternoon of 28 December.  A motorcade of German automobiles and military vehicles followed the hearse which ferried KJI’s casket through the streets in the center of the capital city.  After winding its way through Pyongyang’s streets, the hearse returned to Ku’msusan Memorial Hall (Memorial Palace).  Accompanying the hearse and casket to the funeral service were Kim Jong Un, Jang Song Taek, Kim Ki Nam and Choe Tae Bok on one side and on the other were VMar Ri Yong Ho, VMar Kim Yong Chun, Gen. Kim Jong Gak and Gen. U Tong Chuk.

The procession through Pyongyang was most likely delayed by a heavy snowstorm.  Yonhap reports:

The ceremony had been widely expected to begin at 10 a.m., the same start time as the funeral for Kim’s father and national founder Kim Il-sung in 1994. But the ceremony began at 2 p.m. with the funeral motorcade departing from the plaza of Kumsusan Memorial Palace toward downtown Pyongyang.

South Korea’s state weather agency said snow started to fall in the North’s capital at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday and continued while tens of thousands of bareheaded people lined the streets to bid farewell to the late Kim, who died on Dec. 17.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said that “snow fell over streets nonstop as if the sky had shared sadness with the Korean people who grieve over the loss of the sun of the nation.”

Sources said Pyongyang citizens are believed to have been mobilized for snow-clearing work ahead of the funeral.

Footage on North Korean state TV showed soldiers in uniform taking off their hats in homage to the late leader as the hearse carrying Kim’s body passed by in the whirling snow.

The KCNA said the country is “inundated with people sweeping away snow before bidding their last farewell to the leader.”

“It seems the sky knows well of how much he got snowed on during his uninterrupted field guidance tour for the happiness of the people,” the KCNA said. “The feathery snowfall reminds the Korean people of the snowy day when the leader was born in the secret camp of Mount Baekdu and of the great revolutionary career that he followed through snowdrifts.”

 

KCNA reports on the funeral cortege and the first day’s ceremony:

The dear respected Kim Jong Un together with senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs observed silence before the bier of Kim Jong Il, praying for his immortality, and went round the bier before the departure of a funeral procession.

Then a ceremony of paying last respects to Kim Jong Il was solemnly held in the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and supreme leader of the WPK, state and army, took part in the ceremony.

Among the participants were senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs 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, Kim Chang Sop and other members of the National Funeral Committee, staff members of the Supreme Command of the KPA, commanding officers of the large combined units of the KPA, officials of the party and power bodies, social organizations, ministries, national institutions and the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media.

The plaza of the palace was packed with servicepersons of the KPA, representatives of every province, people from all walks of life, overseas compatriots and foreigners to bid last farewell to Kim Jong Il.

The guards of honor of the three services of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a column of soldiers holding colors were seen solemnly standing there.

Kim Jong Un together with senior officials of the party and armed forces organs entered the plaza, walking by the side of the hearse, escorted by a column of soldiers holding colors of the KPA.

The head of the guards of honor of the three services of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards made a farewell report to the bier of Kim Jong Il.

The hearse passed by the guards of honor and the column of soldiers holding colors saluting Kim Jong Il.

The hearse, followed by motorcade carrying the dear respected Kim Jong Un and the members of the National Funeral Committee, headed for the streets crowded with millions of people of different social standings, servicepersons of the KPA and foreigners staying in the DPRK to bid last farewell to Kim Jong Il.

The funeral procession threaded its way along the 40km-long route.

The hearse arrived at the place to be lain amid the last farewell bidden by millions of Pyongyangites and servicepersons of the KPA in tears.

The head of the guards of honor of the three services of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards made a farewell report to the bier of Kim Jong Il.

The guards of honor and the column of soldiers holding colors made a solemn salute to the bier before paying last respects to the leader.

Kim Jong Un made a bow in deep reverence before the bier of Kim Jong Il, expressing deep condolences.

The moment of placing the bier soldiers of the KPA fired 21 volleys of rifles and guns to mourn his demise.

The guards of honor and the column of colors holders marched past, praying for the immortality of Kim Jong Il.

At the end of the ceremony Kim Jong Un gave the senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs important instructions to thoroughly implement the behests of Kim Jong Il, holding him in high esteem forever.

 

A car carrying a portrait of Kim Jong Il and other vehicles arrives for a funeral ceremony for KJI in Pyongyang on 28 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

On 26 December, the Korean Workers’ Party daily newspaper, Rodong Sinmun published an essay which said that, “ the entire party is briskly making moves under the unitary leadership of great Comrade Kim Jong Un, and the revolution and the construction are being vigorously carried out according to his intents. All of the party organizations, functionaries, and party members are rousing the tens of millions of masses with tons of courage, while taking the lead in faithfully upholding the leadership of great Comrade Kim Jong Un.”  Free NK Radio, citing sources from the city of Sinu’iju on the DPRK-China border, claims that a directive from the party’s organization apparatus have scheduled local party meetings on 30 and 31 December, which will endorse and convey loyalty to KJU’s election to some of his father’s vacant positions, such as KPA Supreme Commander and Party Central Military Commission Chairman.

Kim Jong Il's funeral cortege proceeds down Ch'o'llima Street in central Pyongyang, passing the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium (Photo: KCNA)

Members of the DPRK central leadership attend a funeral ceremony for Kim Jong Il in the plaza outside Ku'msusan Memorial Hall on 28 December 2011. Seen in this image (L-R) are: VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Ho; Kim Jong Un; Kim Yong Nam; Choe Yong Rim; Kim Yo Jong; and Jon Pyong Ho (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

In the meantime, Kim Jong Un has begun to receive public support from two of the DPRK’s elder statesmen.  Kim Yong Nam, who is head of the standing committee [presidium] of the country’s unicameral parliamentary body Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA], told a delegation of visiting ROK elected officials that, “”Kim Jong-il had accomplished these feats, and North Koreans are reassured to have Gen. Kim Jong-un.  The great successor has an extraordinary appearance that resembles Kim Il-sung  and Kim Jong-il. He is determined to complete Gen. Kim Jong-il’s accomplishments.”  The Wednesday edition of Rodong Sinmun carried notices of support from former DPRK Cabinet Premier and South Hamgyo’ng Chief KWP Secretary Kwak Pom Gi and Mar Ri Ul Sol.  Mar Ri’s endorsement is particularly interesting because he has a very close relationship with KJI’s eldest son, Kim Jong Nam.

KBS World reports:

North Korean elders and officials who represent the Kim Jong-un regime pledged their loyalty to their new leader on the day of Kim Jong-il’s funeral.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers’ Party, carried such pledges in its Wednesday edition.

In his pledge, Ri Ul-sol, who fought for Korean independence from the Japanese colonial occupation said the former independence fighters will uphold the “respectable” Kim Jong-un as the new leader. He said Kim is their “destiny” and “future,” and they will give all their might to build North Korea as a powerful socialist nation.

A chief party secretary in South Hamgyeong Province, Kwak Pom-gi, also vowed to uphold the great leadership of Kim Jong-un.

Rodong Sinmun also carried an editorial highlighting KJI’s leadership, which listed “artificial satellites and accessed nukes” in his legacy.  KCNA’s excerpt:

The DPRK has been dignified as a country that manufactured and launched artificial satellites and accessed nukes.

It effected industrial revolution in the new century, promising the bright future of the nation in the era of knowledge-based economy.

Kim Jong Il encouraged the ranks seized with tears and grief following the demise of President Kim Il Sung to turn out for building a thriving nation.

Thanks to these legacies we do not worry about the destiny of ourselves and posterity at this time of national mourning.

Kim Jong Il left nothing for himself. He devoted his life and happiness to the revolution.

To serve the people had been the life maxim that had been steadily carried forward in the revolutionary history of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and it was also philosophy of an uninterrupted revolution of the revolutionary family of Mt. Paektu.

People precisely means Kim Jong Il’s revolutionary legacy and people signifies his immortality.

Supreme leader of our party and people Kim Jong Un takes warm care of the people left by Kim Jong Il.

Every moment of Kim Jong Un’s life is replete with loving care and solicitude for the people. May Kim Jong Il bless the DPRK bright future with his eternal beaming smile.

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

Gen. O Kuk Ryol Steps Forth From the Shadows

Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with Gen. O Kuk Ryol on 21 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

In the aftermath of Kim Jong Il’s death, Gen. O Kuk Ryol (O Kuk-yo’l) has emerged as a key member of the DPRK leadership.  The 80-year old Korean People’s Army [KPA] General was elected Vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission in February 2009.  Since his promotion to the NDC, Gen. O has been responsible for daily general management of military intelligence and directing policy, planning and implementation of crisis management.  Hours after Kim Jong Il expired Gen. O, along with Kim Kyong Hui and Jang Song Taek and several others, participated in a principals’ meeting.  This meeting began the order of operations which publicized KJI’s demise and taking on KJI’s remaining administrative and command mechanisms.

Pyongyang watchers (including, on occasion, this one) had written Gen. O out of the leadership circles.  Some pointed to the fact that at the 3rd Party Conference Gen. O retained his membership on the Party Central Committee, but was elected to neither the Political Bureau nor Central Military Commission nor was he listed as a party department director.  There were also rumors that as NDC Vice-chairman he experienced difficulty managing the behavior and actions of his subordinates.  In early 2011 another rumor surfaced that officials with personal or patronage links to Gen. O had been purged.  Instead, given his daily responsibilities, Gen. O blended into the woodwork of what DPRK media identifies as “senior officials of party, state, army, security organs and national institutions,” and regularly attended various Pyongyang-based events such as national report meetings and concerts.

Gen. O was likely tapped by KJI to serve as a transitional leading official of the KPA, another eminence grise-cum-guardian for Kim Jong Un.  He has managed DPRK special forces, is former chief of the KPA General Staff and has links to the Guard Command.  Gen. O is technologically savvy and highly respected within the DPRK military.  O Kuk Ryol has been tied to the Kim Family for nearly seven decades.  He was looked after by KJI and Kim Kyong Hui’s mother, Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho’ng-suk).  O and his family have been loyal supporters to KJI and the Kim Family over the years.

Over the short term Gen. O will likely assist in the daily management of the KPA, supporting (perhaps in the form of counter-signing) orders or instructions issued by Kim Jong Un or Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff.  It is highly likely that during KJI’s visits to China in 2010 and 2011, and his visit to Russia this past August, this power arrangement was tested and tweaked.  The 19 December 2011 order to the KPA to suspend its winter training cycle and return to barracks most likely had Gen. O’s bureaucratic footprints.

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 Il Funeral Committee (as of 19 December 2011)

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.