Military Security Commander Promoted

Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (annotated), Director of the Military Security Command, attends Kim Jong Un’s inspection of KPA Air and Anti Air Force Unit #447 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

Jo Kyong Chol, Director of the Military Security Command, [MSC] has been promoted from Colonel-General (sangjang) to General (taejang).  Gen. Jo was observed with four stars on his collar during Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n’s) inspection of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Air and Anti-Air Force Unit #447, reported by DPRK state media on 14 May.  With the numerous changes to the KPA during 2012 to 2014, Gen. Jo has been a very busy man.  Jo is a veteran of the KPA General Political Department, having previously served as leading political office in the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces.  He was appointed Director of the Military Security Command in 2009, but his position was not observed until 2011 and was not disclosed until 2012.