North Korean House of Cards

in North Korean media in 2009, the year that Kim Jong-un was made heir apparent,
when he was promoted to colonel general. 582
Office 6, which reports directly to Kim Jong-un’s Personal Secretariat through
the GC, takes the lead in all of Kim Jong-un’s public appearances. It is responsible
for the protection of the Supreme Leader at the closest range. As such, it provides
security inside the first two layers of security in a seven-layer cordon every time the
Supreme Leader travels outside of his Party headquarters or one of his residences. 583
Table 10: Security Cordons for Supreme Leader’s Public Events
Layer of
Protection
Layer 1
Layer 2
Responsibility
Office 6, Bodyguard
Department
Office 6, Bodyguard
Department
Comments
5-6 bodyguards
200-300 troops stationed 100 meters from
the Supreme Leader, coordinated with
Second Guard Department
Layer 3 SSD, Events Bureau 1 kilometer from the second layer, with
Office 6 personnel dispersed throughout this
layer depending on the situation
Layer 4 SSD 1.5-2 kilometers from the third layer
Layer 5 SSD and MPS Distance depends on the situation
Layer 6 Local SSD Distance depends on the situation
Layer 7 Local MPS Distance depends on the situation
In addition to providing physical security, which is the responsibility of
the Bodyguard Department, Office 6 has a number of other functions. The Plans
Department coordinates the Supreme Leader’s events in terms of the list of
participants and the operational aspects of the protection plan. An editorial bureau
attached to Office 6 is responsible for how the images and news of the Supreme
Leader are crafted by North Korean media.
582 “Korean People’s Army Supreme Commander’s Order No 0029: On Promoting the Military
Ranks of KPA Commanding Officers,” KCBS, April 14, 2009.
583 Kim Jeong-Eun, “Strengthening Close Guard on North’s Kim Jong-un?” Yonhap News Agency,
June 18, 2013. As of 2013, photographs of Kim Jong-un’s guidance inspections reveal that his inner cordon
of security is composed of general-grade officers. Particular individuals wearing the rank of lieutenant
general and armed with pistols and carrying walkie-talkies are often pictured following behind the Supreme
Leader. During the Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il eras, bodyguards were often dressed in civilian clothing.
Ken E. Gause
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