North Korean House of Cards

Dressed in black, gloveless, and bare-headed despite the cold, Kim Jong-un walked
beside his father’s hearse, accompanied by key members of the Party and military.
Directly behind Kim Jong-un were the Party representatives—his powerful uncle,
Jang Song-taek, Kim Ki-nam, and Choe Tae-bok. On the other side of the hearse
were the military representatives—GSD Chief Ri Yong-ho, Minister of People’s
Armed Forces Kim Yong-chun, General Political Bureau (GPB) First Vice Director
Kim Jong-gak, and SSD First Vice Director U Tong-chuk.
Image 2: Kim and cohorts surround Kim Jong-il’s hearse
(Source: KCNA, 28 December 2014)
Upon returning to the Kumsusan Palace, the hearse was met by O Kuk-ryol,
other members of the leadership, and members of the Kim family including Kim
Yo-jong. The 105-minute ceremony had come to an end.
2. Transitional Leadership
In the days after Kim Jong-il’s death, the leadership configuration that
would shepherd in the new regime came into focus. It seemed to be made up
of several rings with ties to the Party and the high command. The inner core
was composed of several gatekeepers who presumably had some involvement in
decision-making:
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
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