North Korean House of Cards

ankings in October 2013 and then fell back in December 2013. Officials closely
tied to Jang Song-taek, such as Ro Tu-chol, Chairman of the State Planning
Commission, and Choe Pu-il, Minister of People’s Security, remained in place. Choe
rose in the ranks in October 2013 at the Party Anniversary Concert, only to fall
back in December 2013.
The re-emergence of O Kuk-ryol was particularly notable. Although he played
a prominent role in the aftermath of Kim Jong-il’s death, his role within the leadership
had been a matter of speculation among Pyongyang-watchers. Many believed that
he had been retired in place even though he was a Vice Chairman of the NDC and an
alternate member of the Politburo. In September 2013, at the anniversary of the
founding of the state, he dramatically rose in the formal ranking. 168 Two months later,
at a national meeting of scientists and technicians, he was not only listed third, behind
Pak Pong-ju and Choe Tae-bok, but he was also the sole representative of the military
at a non-military event. On the Kim Kuk-tae Funeral Committee list, he was ranked
before Kim Won-hong, a full member of the Politburo, suggesting that O may have
been elevated from alternate to full member status. 169
168 Alexandre Mansourov, “North Korea: Leadership Schisms and Consolidation During Kim Jongun’s
Second Year in Power,” op. cit. This overlaps with Jang Song-taek’s disappearance from key leadership
meetings. He failed to appear at the 65th anniversary of the founding of the state (September 8), the 16th
anniversary commemorating Kim Jong-il’s election as the KWP General Secretary (October 7), Kim Jongun’s
visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (October 10), and Kim Jong-un’s visit to Samjiyeon county in
Yanggang province (November 30). He also missed lower-level military and security events: the Fourth
Meeting of KPA company commanders and political instructors (October 22-29), which was attended by
key individuals in his chain of command (Kim Won-hong and Choe Pu-il); the Fourth Meeting of KPA
active service personnel for political work with the enemy (November 12); and the Second Meeting of KPA
security personnel (November 21), which was led by Kim Won-hong and Jo Kyong-chol.
169 A reading of this Funeral Committee list would suggest other movements within the
Politburo ranks. Ri Yong-gil and Jang Jong-nam appear to have risen to possible alternate membership
status, while Hyon Chol-hae and Choe Yong-rim may have been demoted from full to alternate status.
This is based on analysis done by Michael Madden, the author of North Korea Leadership Watch.
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
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