North Korean House of Cards

The MSC continues to be one of the most secretive parts of the internal
security apparatus. However, Jo’s rise in stature suggests that it is rising in
power. The fact that Jo was one of the first cadres to accompany Kim Jong-un after
his return to the public eye following a reported foot surgery in October 2014
reinforces the notion that the Supreme Leader sees the MSC as a critical support
mechanism in periods of uncertainty within the regime. Jo Kyong-chol was
promoted to colonel general in February 2015. 549
iv. The Guard Command’s Leadership Becomes Unclear
Yun Jong-rin’s profile rapidly declined in the months following Jang Songtaek’s
execution. He appeared at the Central Memorial Meeting for Kim Jong-il
on December 17, 2013. Two weeks later, he again appeared on the rostrum of a
report meeting on Kim Jong-un’s Supreme Commandership. Then, he disappeared
until April 2014, when he turned up as part of a group of leaders accompanying
Kim Jong-un to a women’s soccer match. He disappeared again and reappeared in
December 2014 as part of Kim Jong-un’s guidance inspection of Unit 963, although
he had been demoted to a colonel general.
v. Profiles of the State Security Department and Ministry of
People’s Security Appear to be Diverging
Before Jang Song-taek’s removal from power and in the months following, the
SSD and MPS remained in the public eye. The SSD was attached directly to Jang’s
downfall. 550 Although Jang had ties to the KPISF, the MPS did not appear to suffer in
terms of influence. 551 Kim Won-hong was a constant presence at Kim Jong-un’s public
appearances and Choe Pu-il’s public persona did not significantly change.
In April 2014 at the First Session of the 13th SPA, both Kim Won-hong and
Choe Pu-il were reappointed as members of the NDC. 552 This move slightly altered
549 “Kim Jong-un’s Order Number 0078 to Promote KPA Commanding Officer Ranks,” Nodong
Sinmun, February 16, 2015.
550 Lee Young-Jong and Ser Myo-Ja, “Ripples Still Felt From Jang Killing,” Korea JoongAng Daily,
November 17, 2014. According to this source, Kim Won-hong’s status dramatically increased inside the
circles of power in Pyongyang for his “effective” handling of Jang’s arrest, investigation, trial, and execution.
551 Gang Byeong-Han, “Jang Song-thaek was Purged Because of Conflicts Surrounding Coal
Mining Rights,” The Kyunghyang Shinmun, December 24, 2013. According to this source, Choe Pu-il underwent
investigation in the aftermath of Jang’s purge. However, it did not appear to impact his standing
within the leadership.
552 Kim Won-hong had initially been appointed to the NDC in 2012 and Choe Pu-il assumed
the seat left vacant by Ri Myong-su in 2013.
Ken E. Gause
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