Gen. Kim Jong-gak’s Rising Star
2009 saw some major shifts in KPA and security apparatus personnel appointments. The 73-year old VMAR Kim Yong-chun replaced the 76-year old VMAR Kim Il-chol as Minister of the PAF. … Continue reading
Where is VMAR Kim Yong-chun?
Yonhap reports that VMAR Kim Yong-chun, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Vice Chair of the National Defense Commission did not appear on the rostrum for a meeting at … Continue reading
Did Kim Jong-un send a redenominated inducement? And Snyder on Succession
Jiji cites an NGO report that said the KWP Central Committee issued an announcement that 500 won (0f the new currency) would be ladled out to North Korean citizens: On … Continue reading
Another sign of KJI China Trip?
Bloomberg citing Yomiuri cites anonymous sources about a possible Kim Jong-il visit to China either in January or Feburary next year. The only problem with this report is that it … Continue reading
Is 2010 the year for Kim Jong-un build up?
Japan’s Public Security Intelligence Agency released a report on Friday that the KWP will soon begin ramping up the propaganda drive in support of the hereditary succession of Kim Jong-il’s … Continue reading
Ju Sang-song Back in Pyongyang
DPRK Minister of Public Security Ju Sang-song returned to Pyongyang on Saturday. Welcoming Gen. Ju back to the DPRK were MPS Political Director Ri Pyong-sam, Senior Public Security Vice Minister … Continue reading
Guidance: North by Northeast
En coda Kim Jong-il visited the Songjin Iron and Steel Complex in the city of Kim Chaek, possibly on Friday (the North Korean press is not putting dates on these … Continue reading
156 Kim Jong-il Public Appearances in 2009 (So far. . .)
Yonhap reports that in 2009 Kim Jong-il has made 156 public appearances–which is to say guidance and inspection tours, meetings with foreign dignitaries and attending concerts. This information is based … Continue reading
Ju Sang-song Meets with China Public Security Minister
The DPRK’s Minister of Public Security, Gen. Ju Sang-song (also a member of the National Defense Commission) met with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday. It is likely that the recent … Continue reading
North Korea Leadership Watch 