Gen. Kim Kyok Sik Lands at KPA General Staff

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

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

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

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

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

DPRK Premier Visits Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex and Construction Projects in Pyongyang

DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) examines production at the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 20 May (Monday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex and three construction projects in and around Pyongyang.  Pak’s first visit was to Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex.  It followed up a recent visit Pak made to the Posan Iron Works at the Ch’o'llima Steel Works complex.  During the first expanded meeting of the DPRK Cabinet in mid-April 2013, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex was instructed to “vigorously wage a struggle to technically round off the heavy rail track production process and to normalize production there and should epochally increase rolled steel production.”  Pak toured the iron and steel complex, described as engaged in “a high-pitched drive to increase iron and steel production true to the new line of the Workers’ Party of Korea on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force.”

Pak Pong Ju  held a meeting with the complex’s managers and employees which “underscored the importance of the complex in making a breakthrough in building an economic power” and “discussed the issues of increasing iron and steel production.”  According to KCNA, Pak “called upon officials and workers of the complex to step up the push to put the production processes on a modern and scientific basis and increase the production capabilities” and “pressed for measures for the Cabinet and relevant units to fully provide raw and other materials necessary for keeping production going at a high rate.”

DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) is briefed about the renovation of the Sports Village on Chongchun Street in the Mangyo’ngdae section in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

Pak also visited three construction projects in Pyongyang.  He visited the renovation work at the Mangyo’ngdae Sports Village on Cho’ngchun Street, the construction of the Munsu Wading Pool and the renovation and expansion of the Taedonggang Terrapin Farm Factory where “he reviewed the progress.”  According to KCNA, Pak “stressed the need to ensure the highest quality in the construction and discussed matters arising in the construction.”

DPRK Premier Visits Steel Complex, Cement Plant Children’s Hosptial and Trade Fair

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) is briefed about the Ryonha Machinery Company’s exhibition at the 16th annual Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 17 May (Friday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Ch’o'llima Steel Complex, the Sunch’o'n Cement Complex, the construction of the Pyongyang Children’s Hospital and the 16th annual Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair.  Pak’s first visits were to the construction site of Pyongyang Children’s Hospital and to the international trade fair.  The trade fair, which includes exhibitions by 100 DPRK companies and 40 foreign companies, was held at the Three Revolutions’ Exhibition in Pyongyang from 13 to 16 May.  Pak later visited the Sunch’o'n Cement Complex in the city of Sunch’o'n, South P’yo’ngan Province.  At the cement complex, Pak Pong Ju held a meeting with local officials, factory managers and employees which addressed “issues on substantially supplying cement needed for implementing the new line of the Workers’ Party of Korea and stepping up the updating of production processes.”

Pak also visited the Posan Iron Works at the Ch’o'llima Steel Works, between Pyongyang and Namp’o, South P’yo’ngan Province, which was described as “waging a dynamic drive for increased iron production, the premier encouraged the officials, technicians and workers to work hard to implement the party’s policy.”  He convened a meeting of officials and factory managers at which Pak “he underscored the need for the officials and other workers of the complex to steadily increase the production capacity by stepping up Juche-orientation and modernization of the non-ferrous metal industry, with firm resolve to shatter the moves of the U.S. imperialists and their stooges to ignite a war in hearty response to the line advanced by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un on pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force.”  According to KCNA, Pak also said that “more iron and steel are required at the worksites for building a socialist economic power” and he called “for making great innovations in production.”

According to Minju Joson the first expanded meeting of the DPRK Cabinet in mid-April 2013, the Cabinet said that “the Ch’o'llima Steel Complex should normalize production at Posan Iron Works and should thereby solve the raw materials problem for steel production and should increase rolled steel production and should thereby pay back the trust of the party that wants the complex to become a standard-bearer and a shock brigade in implementing the party’s simultaneous line.”

New 1st Vice Defense Minister Appointed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DPRK Premier Visits Namhung Youth Chemical Complex

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) tours the Namhu’ng Youth Chemical Complex in Anju, South P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 14 May (Tuesday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Namhu’ng Youth Chemical Complex in Anju, South P’yo’ngan Province.  The primary purpose of Pak’s visit was to learn about the production of chemical fertilizers.  Pak toured the chemical complex and “encouraged officials and workers in their effort to boost the production of Chuch’e fertilizer, true to the spirit of the March, 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”  According to KCNA Pak “stressed the need for the workers there to decisively increase the fertilizer production, bearing deep in mind that agricultural production is the main thrust of the drive for economic construction and the improvement of the people’s living standard and fertilizers precisely mean rice, and thus bring about a radical boost in grain production this year.” Pak also “called upon officials and workers of the coal mines to intensify the drive for increased production, underlining the need for the coal mines to satisfactorily provide coal for boosting the fertilizer production” and “proposed tasks for settling the issue of timely transport of coal for keeping the fertilizer production going at a high rate and other issues. “

Namhu’ng Youth Chemical Complex in the city of Anju, South P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Google image)

DPRK Premier Visits Pukchang Thermal Power Complex and Cooperative Farm

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju tours the Pukch’ang Thermal Power Complex in Pukch’ang County, South P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 9 May (Thursday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited a cooperative farm in Mundo’k County, South P’yo’ngan Province and the Pukch’ang Thermal Power Complex.  Pak’s first stop was a visit to Ryongrim Cooperative Farm in Mundo’k County.  According to KCNA, Pak “encouraged the farmers there in their effort to step up preparations for rice transplanting despite unfavorable weather conditions with the belief that rice precisely means socialism” and he “urged them to decisively boost the per-hectare yield by completing the rice transplantation at the right time as it is decisive of success in the year’s farming.”  Pak also “underlined the need to widely introduce the advanced farming methods and technologies, put farming on a scientific basis and boost the production of quality organic fertilizer to increase the fertility of soil and give full play to the advantages of the sub-workteam management system.”

View of Ryongrim-ri (Yongnim-ni), Mundo’k County, South P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Google image)

Ryongrim-ri and the Pukch’ang Thermal Power Complex, two locales visited by DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju (Photo: Google image)

Pak Pong Ju also visited Pukch’ang Thermal Power Complex in Pukch’ang County, South P’yo’ngan.  He toured the power complex and “encouraged the scientists, technicians and workers there registering successes in the production of electricity and modernization of the complex.”  Whilst “underscoring the great importance of increased electricity production in carrying out the new line of simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force set forth by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n)” Pak Pong Ju “called for bringing about a boost in the power production in line with the elated enthusiasm of people across the country.”

Pak held a meeting with the power complex’s managers and party officials which “underlined the need to focus all efforts on boosting the power production to suit the position of the complex in economic construction” and stressed the need for the related fields to sufficiently provide raw and other materials to the complex.”  Pak held a separate meeting with managers and officials of the Pukch’ang and To’kch’o'n coal mining complexes.  That meeting “called upon the field of coal industry to honor its monthly and quarterly production quotas to contribute to increasing power production and improving people’s living standard” and “discussed the issue of improving the standards of material and cultural life of coal miners.”

Overview of the Puk’chang Thermal Power Complex in Pukch’ang County, South P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Google image)

Overview of the Pukch’ang Thermal Power Complex, and the Pukch’ang Area and To’kch’o'n Area Coal Mine Complexes (Photo: Google image)

In April 2013, the top Cabinet official for the DPRK’s coal mine complex was replaced.  At the first expanded plenary meeting of the DPRK Cabinet on 21 April 2013, Ri Yong Yong participated in the Cabinet’s debate on the agenda item “the fulfillment of this year’s first quarter people’s economy development plan and on measures for the fulfillment of the second quarter people’s economy development plan.”  This was the first occasion at which Ri was identified as Minister of Coal Industry.  According to Minju Joson the Cabinet resolved that “the coal industry sector to give firm priority to prospecting and tunneling, to actively introduce advanced coal cutting methods, and to thereby epochally increase coal production and for the collieries to actively introduce coal dressing facilities according to their situations and to thereby decisively improve coal qualities” and “investments should be concentrated in the coal mines in the western region and the coal mines in Anju and Kyo’ngwo’n areas where there are large quantities of coal deposits and where the coal mining conditions are good to further expand the coal production capacity, and firm measures should be worked out to provide with top priority the facilities, supplies, and labor safety articles needed by the coal mines.”

Previously the Vice Minister of Coal Industry from 2006 to 2013, Ri Yong Yong replaced Kim Hyong Sik, who had served as Minister since September 2007.  Ri Yong Yong is the former general manager of the Kangdong Area Coal Mine Complex in Kangdong County, Pyongyang.

In reporting on the Cabinet meeting, Minju Joson identified Ri as Minister of Coal Industry.

DPRK Premier Visits War Museum Construction

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 3 May that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the ongoing construction and renovation work at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) Museum in Pyongyang and the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Fallen Fighters’ Cemetery.  KCNA reported that “service personnel are building the war museum into a splendid monumental edifice” and “officials and workers in the field of the capital city construction are pushing ahead with the construction of the cemetery in the spirit of winning victory in the all-out standoff with the U.S., in hearty response to the decision of the historic March, 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”  Pak Pong Ju toured about the construction work and was briefed about its progress.  After his tour, Pak held a “consultative meeting” with the project’s managers and officials.  According to KCNA, the meeting “discussed the issues of providing cement, structural steel and other materials and equipment necessary for the construction” and Pak “stressed the importance of the construction of the museum and cemetery.”

Pak Pong Ju’s predecessor as DPRK Cabinet Premier, Choe Yong Rim, last visited the KPA fighters’ cemetery in February 2013 and toured the construction work at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in January 2013.

Kim Jong Un Visits People’s Security Ministry and Watches Workers’ Sports Competition on May Day

Kim Jong Un (1) on the plaza in front of the Ministry of People’s Security headquarters in Pyongyang, prior to commemorative photo-ops on May Day (1 May) in Pyongyang. Also in attendance are Minister of People’s Security, Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (3) and Director of the KPSIF Political Bureau, Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (2) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 1 May (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected the Ministry of People’s Security and watched a sports contest between DPRK public health workers, on International Labor Day (May Day).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at the DPRK premier league men’s football (soccer) finals for the Mangyo’ngdae Prize at Kim Il Sung Stadium.  First, Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of People’s Security [MPS] and inspected Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF] Unit #2219.  Attending his visit to the MPS was VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department) and Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Administration Department).

After arriving at MPS headquarters in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un posed for commemorative photographs with MPS and KPISF personnel.  He also paid his respects to statues of Kim Il Sung, the late DPRK President and founder, and Kim Jong Il, the country’s late leader.  According to KCNA, KJU said “the erection of their statues at the ministry strikingly demonstrates the unshakable will of all people’s security persons and service personnel of KPISF to eternally hold the peerlessly great men in high esteem and devotedly defend the socialist system, a precious legacy bequeathed by the Generalissimos.”  He also “underscored the need for them to eternally hold the Generalissimos in high esteem as the sun of Chuch’e, firmly defend and glorify their undying revolutionary exploits with pure revolutionary conscience and strong sense of obligation.”  Kim Jong Un “gave important instructions to tighten people’s security and bolster up the combat capabilities of KPISF in every way” and remarked that “the Ministry of People’s Security and KPISF play a very important role for defending the socialist system, he said, adding that the people’s security persons and service personnel of KPISF should be deeply aware of their heavy yet honorable combat missions.”  

Kim Jong Un poses for commemorative photographs in front of the Ministry of People’s Security headquarters in Pyongyang on 1 May 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “underlined the need to strengthen the people’s security organ and the internal security forces as units defending the policies of the party, strong guardians of socialism, merciless striking forces and reliable protectors of the lives and properties of the people” and said that “the enemies are now afraid of our single-minded unity around the party more than anything else and running the whole gamut of desperate and base moves to destabilize and bring down our society.”  KJU said “now that the enemies are working hard to bar our people from trusting and following the party with pure conscience and fixed will and alienate the masses from it, it is important to intensify the struggle to frustrate their moves,” “called for devotedly defending the party, social system and people, decisively foiling the ideological and cultural poisoning and psychological warfare of the enemies and mercilessly wiping out the undesirable and hostile elements who have foolish day dreams” and he “underlined the need for the ministry and the internal security forces to make full combat preparations to annihilate the U.S. imperialists and south Korean puppet group keen to stifle the DPRK and to creditably fulfill their missions and duties in the sacred struggle to provide a firm guarantee by dint of arms and law for the implementation of the party’s line on simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force.”  He also noted that “our Chuch’e-oriented socialist country is invincible as the Korean People’s Army and KPISF, the two revolutionary armed forces of the WPK, are firmly defending the security of the country and people.”

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with officers and service members of Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Unit #2219 on 1 May 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un then inspected KPISF Unit #2219.  After his arrival, he presented the unit with a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle during a short ceremony.  He then posed for commemorative photographs with officers and service members of the unit.  KJU toured the political education facilities, visited a mess hall, a dormitory, a cultural education classroom and a washroom.  KCNA reported that KJU was “satisfied to see good conditions in the bed room, praising the unit for keeping the wash-cum-bath room with a sauna attached neat and clean.”  During a visit to a classroom he “he underscored the need to train the soldiers to be strong in idea and faith by intensifying politico-ideological education among them.”

After his tour, he supervised a drill by the unit.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “highly appreciated their success in the drill and indicated tasks for bolstering up the combat capabilities of the unit” and “expressed belief that just as the service personnel of KPISF have always did, the soldiers of the unit would display a do-or-die will and matchless courage and thus become iron shields and fierce tigers devotedly defending the party, social system and people in their struggle to decisively foil the enemies’ moves to stifle the DPRK.”

Kim Jong Un (1) watches a sports competition of public health workers on 1 May 2013 with his wife Ri Sol Ju (2). Also in attendance are: Jang Song Taek (3), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (4), Pak Pong Ju (5), Kim Kyong Hui (6), Kim Ki Nam (7) and Kim Yang Gon (8). (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un’s next visit was his attendance at a sports contest between public health workers.  He was joined by his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) along with Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary, KJU’s aunt and head of the Kim Family), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary and Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department) along with “other senior officials of the party, the state and the army and workers in the field of public health.”  Also in attendance from the central leadership were: Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security) Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the Ministry of State Security Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the KPISF Political Bureau), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Chief of the Military Security Command), Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Chief of the Guard Command) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff and Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau).

The public health workers were divided into two teams–the Pot’onggang and Taedonggang teams.  KCNA reported of the sports competitions:

Male and female volleyball matches took place first.

The Pothonggang Team defeated its rival in the breath-taking male volleyball match and the Taedonggang Team trounced its rival in the female volleyball match.

Then followed table-tennis matches.

Men’s and women’s singles and doubles and singles of leading officials of the relevant units were played, drawing the attention of the spectators.

The Pothonggang Team won the men’s and women’s singles and men’s doubles while the Taedonggang Team emerged a winner in the women’s doubles.

The Pothonggang Team won the singles of leading officials of the relevant units.

The Pothonggang Team beat its rival 4:1 in the table-tennis matches.

A tug of war took place between the two teams.

The Pothonggang Team won the game.

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “clapped his hands whenever the players displayed high technique.”  The results of the competitions were announced and prizes given to the participants.  At the end of the event, KJU “waved back to the enthusiastic cheers of the players and spectators and congratulated them on the successful games.”

Kim Jong Un Visits Yanggakdo Stadium and Football Game

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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