North Korean House of Cards

Name Position(s) Comments
Kim Solsong
(41)
• Member of
Kim Jong-un’s
Personal Secretariat
(?)
Kim Sol-song is the daughter of Kim Jongil
and Kim Yong-suk. She is Kim Jong-un’s
older half sister. Close to her aunt, Kim
Kyong-hui, Kim Sol-song has reportedly
taken over mentoring duties of Kim Jongun
and Kim Yo-jong. She also reportedly is
a senior figure in Kim’s Personal Secretariat.
Party
Choe
Ryong-hae
(65)
Kang Sok-ju
(76)
• Member of the
Politburo (since
2015)
• KWP Secretary
(since 2010,
2015)
• Member of the
Politburo (since
2010)
• KWP Secretary
for International
Affairs (since
2014)
Choe Ryong-hae is a former regent to Kim
Jong-un. He now acts as a senior Party
advisor. Although he suffered a demotion
in 2014/15 with his removal from the
Politburo Presidium and directorship
of the GPB, he continues to occupy a
position close to the Supreme Leader. He
has been tasked to lead special missions
to both China and Russia and appears
to play a balancing role within the senior
leadership. He has been a KWP Secretary
since 2010—first for Military Affairs and
more recently for Work Organizations.
His second son, Choe Song, is reportedly
married to Kim Yo-jong.
Kang has been a major player in North
Korean foreign policy since the 1980s,
when he was in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. He likely remains an influential
strategist in helping Kim Jong-un
maneuver within the international arena.
His promotion to Party Secretary in 2014
ensures that he has direct talks with Kim
Jong-un on a regular basis.
Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
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