North Korean House of Cards

Vice Chairman of the NDC, O Kuk-ryol. However, Kim Yong-chol’s
long-time relationship with Kim Jong-un likely provides him with a
private channel of communication, especially on issues related to South
Korea and in times of crisis. He was ranked 54th on Jon Pyong-ho’s
Funeral Committee list.
• General Choe Pu-il (71) has been an alternate member of the Politburo
since 2013, a member of the CMC since 2010, and a member of the
NDC since 2013. Although Choe’s status has been rising ever since
Kim Jong-un became heir apparent, he was catapulted to the senior
leadership in 2013. A close associate of the Kim family for years, he
is also rumored to be a favorite of Kim Jong-un and was elevated to
general in Special Command Order 0036, signed by the Supreme
Commander in June. 702, 703 As Minister of People’s Security, he reported
up to Jang Song-taek and the NDC. This apparently has not hurt his
standing within the leadership in the near term, as he remains in his
position following Jang’s purge. He was ranked 20th on Jon Pyong-ho’s
Funeral Committee list.
3. Government
• Kim Yong-nam (87) has been a member of the Politburo Presidium
since 2010. As Chairman of the SPA Presidium, he is considered the de
facto head of state of North Korea. His real power, however, comes by
virtue of his close ties to the Kim family and relationships throughout
the leadership. 704 He was Kim Jong-il’s senior at Kim Il-sung University.
The two worked closely together in the 1960s to purge the Party of
elements that opposed the Suryong system and the notion of hereditary
succession. He is close to Kim Kyong-hui. His son, Kim Jung-il, was
a Vice Director of Kim Jong-il’s Personal Secretariat. Kim Yong-nam
702 “Korean People’s Army Supreme Commander’s Order No. 0036,” op. cit.
703 Kang Mi-Jin, “Kim ‘Repromotes’ Choi Bu Il,” Daily NK, June 11, 2013. In fact, this was a
re-promotion. Choe was originally promoted to general alongside Kim Jong-un in September 2010, but
was stripped of one rank at some point. His re-elevation appears to now reconfirm his status within the
constituency of those who owe their positions to Kim, and who can be expected to remain fiercely loyal
to the regime.
704 Nicolas Levi, “A Big Day for the Elite Clans,” Daily NK, April 10, 2012. Kim Yong-nam’s deceased
brother, Kim Du-nam, was a member of the CMC under Kim Il-sung and later became President
of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and Chief of the Office of Military Officers in Kim Jong-il’s Personal
Secretariat. Kim Du-nam and O Kuk-ryol’s patronage systems were very closely aligned and served as one
of the Kim Jong-il’s support networks within the North Korean military.
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