North Korean House of Cards

of National Intelligence, when he arrived in Pyongyang to secure the release of the
American citizens Kenneth Bae and Todd Miller. 555
Conversely, Choe Pu-il’s public profile appears to have declined in the
second half of 2014. In May, Choe was given the responsibility to make the public
apology following the collapse of the apartment building in Pyongchon District,
Pyongyang. The construction unit tasked with building the apartment belonged to
the MPS. In his statement, Choe said that the responsibility for the accident rested
with him, as he failed “to uphold well the KWP’s policy of love for the people.” He
reprimanded himself, saying that he failed to identify factors that “could put at risk
the lives and properties of the people and to take thorough-going measures, thereby
causing an unimaginable accident.” 556 From that point on, Choe’s profile began
to decline. He disappeared from the public eye after appearing on the leadership
rostrum as part of a meeting to mark the sixty-first anniversary of the “war victory
anniversary.” He did not appear at the SPA meeting that was held in September
2014, raising speculation that his political fortunes may have suffered. 557 He finally
reappeared in December 2014 as part of a delegation accompanying Kim Jong-un to
Kumsusan Palace on the third anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death.
Image 36: Choe Pu-il expressing apology for collapse of apartment building
(Source: Nodong Sinmun, May 18, 2014)
2. Overview of the Internal Security Agencies
As of 2015, the internal security apparatus inside North Korea appears to be
evolving in the aftermath of Jang Song-taek’s purge. Outside observers’ assessments of
555 “Release Of U.S. Prisoners Baffles N. Korea Watchers,” The Chosun Ilbo, November 11, 2014.
556 “People’s Security Minister Expresses ‘Apology’ for 13 May ‘Serious Accident’ in Pyongyang,”
KCNA, May 17, 2014.
557 “2nd Session of 13th Supreme People’s Assembly of DPRK Held,” KCNA, September 25, 2014.
Ken E. Gause
245