North Korean House of Cards

Pyong-so, another First Vice Director of the KWP OGD, was promoted to the rank
of vice marshal. 535 This raised speculation that he might replace Choe Ryong-hae,
whose public profile as the top political officer in the armed forces had been
waning. In May 2014, this speculation was proven true as Hwang was appointed
Director of the GPB. 536 Four months later, Hwang replaced Choe Ryong-hae as Vice
Chairman of the NDC, a post he had assumed in April 2014. Over the course of his
dramatic rise, Hwang surpassed Choe in the formal ranking, becoming the de facto
number-two man in the regime. For many Pyongyang-watchers, this confirmed that
the OGD was on the rise and that its influence was spreading throughout the regime.
This speculation was further supported by an examination of the North
Korean leadership, which shows that a fraternity of current and past OGD vice
directors now holds key positions throughout the regime. A study by South Korean
media shows that at the very senior levels of power, both in Pyongyang and in the
provinces, the KWP OGD bolsters its institutional ties through command and
control responsibilities. Some of these positions, such as Hwang Pyong-so’s position
as head of the GPB, are held by current members of the OGD. In addition, many
more positions are held by former OGD members. It is speculated that the bond
between these individuals remains strong, given the OGD has enhanced influence
throughout the regime. The table below includes individuals with current and past
ties to the OGD.
Table 9: Regime Members with Ties to the OGD
Name Post Relationship to the OGD
Kim Kyong-ok CMC Member First Vice Director, OGD 537
Hwang Pyong-so GPB Director, Vice Chairman, First Vice Director, OGD 538
NDC
Jo Yon-jun Politburo Alternate Member First Vice Director, OGD
Kim In-kol
Vice Director, OGD
535 “Decision on Conferring Title of Vice Marshal of Korean People’s Army on Hwang Pyong-so,”
KCNA, April 28, 2014.
536 “May Day Banquet for Workers Given,” KCNA, May 1, 2014. At this event, Hwang was
identified as the Director of the KPA GPB.
537 According to recent rumors in the summer of 2015, Kim Kyong-ok may have retired from his
official posts for “health reasons.” “How Kim Jong Un Gets Rid Of Threats To His Power,” The Chosun
Ilbo, May 18, 2015.
538 There is debate within the Pyongyang-watching community over whether Hwang remains a
First Vice Director of the OGD since assuming his post in the GPB.
Ken E. Gause
239