North Korean House of Cards

above, especially the purge of Ri Yong-ho. Additionally, all three had their own
functional responsibilities and influence.
• Kim Kyong-hui (69) was the premier regent and wielded the most
influence over Kim Jong-un. 80, 81 According to one source, she was the
only person allowed to verbally discuss policy with Kim Jong-un; others
had to make their suggestions in written form. 82 She was responsible
for coaching Kim Jong-un on how to conduct politics and took the
lead in ensuring that he developed the critical relationships he would
need in order to rule on his own. As a blood relative and the keeper of
Kim Jong-il’s last will and testament, she was responsible for ensuring
that the Kim family equities were respected and protected. In this
capacity, she had veto power over all decisions, except those made by
Kim Jong-un himself. Whether she used this veto power on her own
or through Kim Jong-un was unclear. 83 Her health was rumored to be
worsening, although she still managed to make appearances at critical
leadership events until September 2013.
80 “Kim Jong-un’s Aunt Critically Sick,” The Chosun Ilbo, July 22, 2013. In July 2013, reports
began to surface in South Korean media that Kim Kyong-hui was critically ill. She has a history of
alcoholism and depression, which was exacerbated in the mid-2000s with her marital problems and the
death of her daughter, Jang Kum-song, who committed suicide in 2006. Some reports claim that she
is also suffering from hypertension and diabetes. At that time, she had not been seen in public for over
eighty days. On July 8, 2013, she did not attend the important memorial event at the Kumsusan Palace
of the Sun for the 19th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death.
81 “Kim Jong-un’s ‘Sick’ Aunt Resurfaces,” The Chosun Ilbo, July 26, 2013. She eventually
reappeared as part of the celebration ceremonies for the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended
the Korean War. On July 25, 2013, at the opening ceremony for the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs’
Cemetery in Pyongyang, she stood two spaces to the left of Kim Jong-un, next to Premier Pak Pong-ju.
She has again disappeared and has not been seen in public since September 2013.
82 Kim Yun-Sim, “The Life and Times of a Kingmaker: Kim Kyung-hee in Close-up,” Daily NK,
July 11, 2013, http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01800&num=10721. Kim Yun-Sim
was born in Pyongyang and came to South Korea in 2012.
83 Author’s discussions in April 2013 with South Korean Pyongyang-watchers and seniorlevel
defectors.
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
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