North Korean House of Cards

Palace of the Sun, which holds the remains of Kim Il-sung and Kim
Jong-il. It reportedly numbers between 500 and 1,000 personnel.
• The Second Guard Department was originally responsible for the
protection of Kim Jong-il. Upon his death, this department allegedly
shifted its focus to the protection of Kim Jong-un. 577 Its forces are
deployed around his Party headquarters and residences. It works closely
with Office 6 (Kim’s personal bodyguards) in coordinating his personal
security both inside Pyongyang and when he travels. It reportedly
numbers between 1,500 and 2,000 personnel.
• The Third Guard Department is responsible for the protection of Party
and national infrastructure, as well as the residences of other senior
leaders. It reportedly numbers between 500 and 1,000 personnel.
• The Rear Area Department is responsible for procuring supplies and
providing logistical support throughout the GC. It reportedly numbers
close to 3,000 personnel.
• The Capital Security Bureau provides security on the access routes into
Pyongyang. A unit of nearly 2,000 troops, it is responsible for securing
and vetting access to the city for both individuals and vehicles. It
accomplishes this through a number of checkpoints. The bureau likely
coordinates its activities with the Pyongyang Defense Command and
the Third Corps, the two primary KPA units dedicated to defense of
the capital city.
• The Rapid Response Unit is an anti-coup force. It consists of approximately
1,500 troops deployed throughout Pyongyang who are able to
respond in overwhelming force at a moment’s notice. Presumably, their
mission is to secure critical command and control nodes throughout
the city, as well as provide additional protection to the Supreme Leader.
This unit is reportedly outfitted with tanks and armed personnel carriers.
The Second Bureau is the main logistical and administrative center of
the GC. It is responsible for command operations across North Korea, including
maintenance of the Supreme Leader’s residences and guest houses. Its staff numbers
between 15,000 and 20,000. The Bureau is also responsible for procuring goods for
the Kim family, most likely in coordination with the Personal Secretariat. It is also
responsible for running farms and a food factory called the Ninth Factory, which
577 In addition to protecting Ri Sol-ju, the Second Guard Department is also most likely responsible
for protecting Kim Kyong-hui. Some defectors, however, claim that Kim’s protection falls within the
purview of the Third Guard Department.
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
254