North Korean Policy Elites - Defense Technical Information Center

personal apparatus. The source of much speculation by North Korean watchers, Kim Chong-il’s
personal secretariat wields influence by virtue of its “gatekeeping” function. 23 Often compared to
the royal order system that operated during the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), Kim Chong-il’s
personal secretariat has no official sanction and rarely is mentioned in the North Korean press. It
receives, classifies, and facilitates documents addressed to the chairman (Kim Chong-il) and then
issues instructions. It also administers Kim’s schedule, itineraries, protocol and logistics supply,
and liaisons with the Guards Command to ensure his security.
Closely associated with Kim Chong-il’s personal secretariat (and even overlapping at
times) is an entity known as the “Third Floor.” 24 This element of Kim Chong-il’s personal staff
assists him in conducting numerous “special” operations, both inside and outside the country.
The members of the “Third Floor” cadre normally have long political lives. Paek In-su (former
head of Office No. 39) worked for the apparatus for 28 years, while Kwon Yong-nok and Yi
Ch’ol worked for more than 20 years. While it would be difficult to replace them, as they are in
charge of secret affairs, their long hold on their positions is also not unrelated to Kim Chong-il’s
personality. These behind-the-scene members of the leadership are critical to the maintenance of
the regime.
These “special” operations mark a significant departure from the role of the personal
secretariat as it existed under Kim Il-sung. For example, the concept of a slush fund, which is
managed by Kim Chong-il’s staff, did not exist. Instead, Kim Il-sung’s needs were paid for by
“presidential bonds,” which were created by laying in three percent of the budget. They were
akin to the resources reserved in preparation for war. 25 These secret funds are Kim Chong-il’s
personal money for him to buy whatever he thinks is necessary, including daily necessities from
foreign countries or presents for his subordinates. In terms of system dynamics, the operation of
this nefarious activity by a key component of the regime undermines Kim’s legitimacy.
23 According to some sources, the secretariat was created in the mid-1980s, when Kim Chong-il carved out its
responsibilities from the KWP CC, most likely from several departments, including the General Affairs
Department, which oversees a variety of housekeeping functions for the party leadership.
24 The name comes from the location of this office, which is on the third floor of Office Complex Number 1, where
Kim Chong-il’s offices are located.
25 U Chong-ch’ang, “ROK Monthly on DPRK Kim Chong-il’s Slush Fund Deposits in Swiss Banks,” Seoul, Wolgan
Choson (November 1, 2000), FBIS translation KPP20001019000046.
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