North Korean Policy Elites - Defense Technical Information Center
North Korean Policy Elites - Defense Technical Information Center
North Korean Policy Elites - Defense Technical Information Center
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answer. One method of identifying key leaders within the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Korean</strong> system is observing the<br />
amount of times a person accompanies Kim Chong-il on one of his inspection tours. Because of<br />
Kim Chong-il’s reluctance to preside over meetings and due to his preference for behind-thescenes<br />
national administration, the role of the Politburo and other traditional centers of power<br />
have deteriorated, whereas the positions of those who accompany Kim on his on-the-spot<br />
guidance tours (such as members of the Secretariat and military) have been enhanced.<br />
The charts below are based on figures gathered by the South <strong>Korean</strong> Ministry of National<br />
Unification. They are divided by institution and portray the number times each member of that<br />
institution accompanied Kim Chong-il on one of his guidance tours. They cover the years 2000-<br />
2002. 14 As the charts reveal, members of the National <strong>Defense</strong> Commission, the KWP<br />
Secretariat, and the Central Committee apparatus participated in the most visits. It should be<br />
noted, however, that while this methodology is useful in highlighting certain trends within the<br />
upper echelons of the leadership, it does not entirely reveal which leaders have real influence.<br />
Chart II-1: Politburo<br />
Number of<br />
Guidance<br />
Inspections<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
2000<br />
2001<br />
2002<br />
0<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14<br />
Members<br />
1. Pak Sung-chol 8. Choi Tae-bok<br />
2. Kim Yong-nam 9. Yun Hyong-muk<br />
3. Jon Byong-ho 10. Kim Chol-man<br />
4. Kim Young-ju 11. Hong Suk-hyung<br />
14 A thorough breakdown of Kim Chong-il’s appearances for 2003 had not been completed by the time of this<br />
paper’s publication, although some conclusions could be made. According to Radio Press, Kim Chong-il made 86<br />
appearances in 2003, falling from 117 in 2002. Those related to military affairs represented 65 percent, as opposed<br />
to 27 percent in 2002. Most frequently, he was accompanied by military officials, in contrast to 2002, when party<br />
officials mostly accompanied him. Those most frequently reported in his company were as follows: Hyon Cholhae<br />
(38), Pak Chae-kyong (35), Yi Mung-su (32), Kim Yong-chun (25), Yi Yong-chul (19), Kim Ki-nam (19),<br />
Kim Kuk-tae (17), Kim Yong-sun (16), Choe Chun-hwang (14), Kim Il-chol (13), Chong Song-taek (12).<br />
II-14