North Korean House of Cards

Name Position(s) Comments
Government
Kim Yongnam
(87)
• Member of
the Politburo
Presidium (since
2010)
• Chairman of the
SPA Presidium
As Chairman of the SPA Presidium, Kim
Yong-nam 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. Kim Yong-nam
has long played an intermediary role and a
stabilizing force within the senior leadership.
He most likely has a direct channel
to Kim Jong-un. He was ranked second on
Jon Pyong-ho’s Funeral Committee list.
c. Key individuals in the Third Echelon of
the Leadership
The third echelon is composed of bureaucrats, military officers, and
technocrats who are responsible for executing operations—many of whom hold
positions on senior leadership bodies. They may have decision-making authority
over the operations of their institutions, but these decisions are guided by higherlevel
decisions. They have limited influence or contact with Kim Jong-un other
than during guidance inspections and field exercises. He may reach out to them for
subject matter expertise. This is the level at which many of the fourth-generation
leaders (who are currently in their 30s and 40s) will appear in the next few years. 214
But for now, the more notable individuals in this echelon include those listed below.
214 While this may be the focal point for a future generation of leaders, it is not immune from
purges. In the summer of 2015, the South Korean media reported that Vice Premier Choe Yong-gon
and Vice Director of the KWP United Front Department (UFD) Won Tong-yon had both been purged.
Choe Yong-gon was reportedly removed (and possibly executed) for taking exception to Kim Jong-un’s
forestation program and Won Tong-yon, one of the negotiators of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, was
caught up in a purge of figures deemed to be too close to South Korea.
Ken E. Gause
89