North Korean House of Cards

offices: the Cadre Department, the Political Department, and the Chief of Staff. The
Cadre Department appears to have a typical human resources function, overseeing
recruitment and personnel affairs. The Political Department ensures ideological
loyalty and conducts a variety of indoctrination activities. However, the bulk of the
apparatus falls under Jo’s Chief of Staff. 632 This apparatus includes an Inspection
Department, which conducts routine inspections of military units, 633 as well as a
guard unit dedicated to providing security during the Leader’s visits to military units.
The organizational structure also includes a university for training agents and senior
personnel within the Command. 634
Much of the MSC’s work is centered on its counterintelligence departments.
The number of departments varies based on sources. Some of the more important
departments include the following:
• The Investigation Department, the most visible part of the MSC, is in
charge of conducting investigations into anti-regime activity. 635
• The Interrogation Department takes over the case once suspects have
been identified by the Investigation Department.
• The General Incident Department is a senior agency within the MSC
that provides oversight and monitoring of the casework of the other
investigative departments.
A number of other departments provide technical and administrative
support to these police-related departments. The Technical Department, for example,
provides wiretapping and surveillance support to the Investigation Department.
632 “Extensive Analysis of the Supreme Nerve Center of the Korean People’s Army,” Shindong-A,
May-1 June 2006.
633 According to defector sources, the MSC, until recently, was in charge of conducting inspections
of border units. This mission was carried out by MSC agents stationed at each brigade, squadron, and
company. However, rumors of cronyism between the MSC and the border troops led to significant
changes in border security. After responsibility for border security was transferred from the MPAF to the
SSD in April 2012, it is not clear if the MSC continues in this role. Presumably, this mission has been
transferred to the SSD.
634 Yun Tae-il, The Inside Story of the SSD, op. cit. Intelligence officers in the MSC graduate from
the Security University under the management of the MPAF. Until around 1983, the education of military
intelligence officers mostly took place at the SSD’s Political University located in Kangso District of
Nampo City. However, in 1984, the MPAF Security University was established in Mangyongdae District
in Pyongyang, where it implements specialized education. The curriculum consists of specialized subjects,
such as investigations, intelligence, and tactics, as well as vehicle driving and taekwondo.
635 According to one defector, this department also has the authority to conduct investigations
abroad, presumably in China, pursuant to its larger mission.
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