North Korean House of Cards

In 2013, South Korean media reports placed Kim Yo-jong either in the
NDC or the KWP OGD. 352 At the end of 2014, some reports placed her in the
KWP PAD after she was identified as a vice director of a Central Committee
department on the occasion of her brother’s guidance inspection of the April 26
Cartoon Film Studio. 353 She has also been identified as a Protocol Secretary for Kim
Jong-un and the person responsible for handling his travel appointments. She was
responsible for organizing his attendance at ceremonies. According to one North
Korean source, “It’s widely whispered in the Party that you have to get on Kim
Yo-jong’s good side if you want to invite Kim Jong-un to your ceremony.” 354
Following the purge of Jang Song-taek, Kim’s status began to rise. She has
allegedly been given responsibility for several of the hard currency lines of operation
tied to Department 54, which is no longer operating. 355 According to some sources,
she has also been appointed Chief Secretary, 356 handling the delivery of reports
from the Party, Cabinet, and NDC to Kim Jong-un. 357 It is not clear whether her
responsibilities extend beyond Kim Jong-un’s Personal Secretariat and into the SOCC.
In addition to the Kim family members within the Personal Secretariat,
there are a number of other offices and aides that support Kim Jong-un’s daily affairs:
• The Protocol Office is responsible for controlling Kim Jong-un’s
schedule and movements. Although some reports from 2013 identified
Kim Yo-jong as the Chief of Protocol, 358 recent reporting claims that
this role is now filled by Kim Jang-son, who also oversees the NDC
352 Michael Madden, “KJI Youngest Daughter Working as Events Manager for KJU?” North
Korea Leadership Watch, July 22, 2013; “Kim Jong-un’s Sister ‘Given Key Party Post’,” The Chosun Ilbo,
July 22, 2013.
353 “Kim Jong Un Gives Guidance at April 26 Cartoon Film Studio,” KCNA, November 26,
2014. Her father Kim Jong-il did not reach the position of Vice Director until he was 32 while being
trained to become leader and her aunt, Kim Kyong-hui, was appointed Vice Director at the age of 30.
354 North Korean official’s interview with Radio Free Asia, as quoted in “Kim Jong-un’s Sister
‘Given Key Party Post’,” The Chosun Ilbo, op. cit.
355 “Kim Jong-un’s Sister Put in Charge of Regime’s Coffers,” The Chosun Ilbo, January 13, 2014.
356 Jeong Yong-Soo, “Son of Kim Jong-un’s Chief Secretary Undergoes Ideological Training After
Stepping Down from His Position,” Korea JoongAng Daily, February 24, 2014. This post was reportedly held
by Kim Jang-son. According to South Korean reporting, Kim’s son, Kim Ki-sik (Chairman of the State Development
Committee), was sent to a “revolutionization course for ideological training” in the aftermath of
the Jang Song-taek purge and a month before reports that Kim Yo-jong assumed the role of Chief Secretary.
Kim Jang-son was reportedly appointed Chief of Protocol. “N.K. Leader’s Sister Serving As Chief Of Staff,”
Yonhap News Agency, March 30, 2014.
357 “N.K. Leader’s Sister Serving as Chief of Staff,” ibid.
358 Ibid. According to South Korean sources, acting under the assumed name Kim Ye-jong, Kim
Yo-jong oversaw the invitation of former NBA player Dennis Rodman to North Korea.
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