North Korean House of Cards

Image 41: MPS Headquarters in Pyongyang
(Source: Google Earth as published on North Korea Economy Watch)
i. Structure
The MPS has its headquarters in Pyongyang. The Minister of People’s Security
is General Choe Pu-il. 612 Although not publicly announced, Choe took over the
MPS in February 2013, replacing Ri Myong-su, who was assigned to other duties. 613
At the Central Committee Plenum in April 2013, Choe was elevated to the Politburo
as an alternate member. 614 Shortly thereafter, at the Seventh Session of the 12th
SPA, he was appointed a member of the NDC, replacing Ri Myong-su. Before his
appointment, Choe was the First Vice Chief of the GSD and Director of the GSD
Operations Bureau. 615 At the Third Party Conference in 2010 he was appointed to
the KWP CMC.
The MPS has several vice ministers and a chief of staff who oversee several
divisions and bureaus. 616 The Political Bureau exists outside of the Chief of Staff’s
612 As of December 2014, Choe Pu-il’s status within the regime is unknown. He has not been
seen in public since August 2014.
613 “Comrade Choe Pu-il, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau,” Nodong Sinmun, April 1, 2013.
614 While it was not announced in North Korean media, it is presumed that Ri Myong-su was
removed from the Politburo as part of this reshuffle.
615 Choe’s predecessor, Ri Myong-su, had also served as Director of the GSD Operations Bureau.
616 North Korea Directory (Japan: Radio Press, Inc., 2004). See also KCBS, December 19, 2009,
as cited in Open Source Center (KPP20091219032006). Some of the Vice Ministers include: Kim Sung-
Ken E. Gause
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