North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

NK Media Coverage of SPA

KCNA , in an uncharacteristic move, published short biographic sketches on Mr. Jang, Mr Choe and the Vice Premiers appointed at yesterday’s SPA session.  Below you can find the image carried by the North Korean media and KCNA’s biography.

One note about Mr. Jang’s birthday; this is the first I have seen of his being born in January, 1946.  All other sources I have read or seen have said he was born in February, 1946.  Sources have differed on where Mr. Jang was born, most say that it was Kangwon Province and a few (including documents submitted that effectively banned his entry into the EU in December, 2009) say he was born in North Hamgyong.

Jang Song Taek (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Jang Song Thaek was elected vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly.
Born on Jan. 22, Juche 35 (1946), he graduated from Kim Il Sung University and worked as an instructor of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea. And he had been active as instructor, deputy section chief, section chief, vice department director, first vice department director and department director of the WPK Central Committee since 1972.

He has worked as director of the Administration Department of the C.C., the WPK since 2007.

Choe Yong Rim (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Choe Yong Rim was elected premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Born on November 20, Juche 19 (1930), Choe served in the Korean People’s Army. He got the qualifications as an economic engineer after graduating from a university.

He worked as instructor, section chief, vice department director, first vice department director and department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief secretary of the Secretaries Office of the Kumsusan Assembly Hall. Then he held posts of vice premier of the Administration Council, director of the Central Public Prosecutors Office and secretary general of the SPA Presidium.

He has worked as chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK up to now since 2009.

Kang Nung Su (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Kang Nung Su was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Born on February 21, Juche 19 (1930), Kang served in the Korean People’s Army. Then he graduated from Kim Il Sung University and won the qualifications for expert of the Korean literature.

He had worked as instructor of the C.C., the Writers Union of Korea, chief of the Room for Creative Work of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee, vice-chairman of the C.C., the WUK, head of the April 15 Literary Production Company, chairman of the Kimilsungia- Kimjongilia Committee of the DPRK and minister of Culture.

He has been active as director of the Film Department of the WPK Central Committee and concurrently chairman of the State Film Commission up to now, starting this year.

Kim Rak Hui (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Kim Rak Hui was appointed as vice premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Kim was born on November 11, Juche 22 (1933).

Graduated from the University of National Economics, she worked as management board chairperson of a cooperative farm, chairperson of a county cooperative farm management committee, chairperson of a provincial rural economy committee and vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

She has worked as chief secretary of the South Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the WPK up to now since 2005.

Ri Tae Nam (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

Ri Thae Nam was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Ri, born on June 25, Juche 27 (1938), graduated from Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and got the qualifications for metal processing engineer.

He took the post of a workshop head of the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Plant, instructor, deputy section chief and section chief of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chief party secretary of the Kangson Steel Complex, chairman of the Nampho City Administrative and Economic Committee, chief party secretary of the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex, chief secretary of a provincial committee of the WPK and chief party secretary of the Sungri Motor Complex.

He has worked as chief secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK since 2009.

Jo Pyong Ju (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA Biography:

He was born on December 1, Juche 31 (1942). He got qualification as a machine-building engineer after graduating from Ryongsong University of Mechanical Engineering.

Jo Pyong Ju was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet and concurrently minister of Machine-Building Industry at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.

He worked as instructor and shop head of the Ryongsong Machine Plant, manager of the Hamhung Compressor Plant, director general of the Ryongsong Associated Machinery Bureau and manager of the Ryongsong Machine Complex.

He has worked as minister of Machine-Building Industry up to now since 2005

Jon Ha Chol

KCNA biography:

Jon Ha Chol was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
He was born on April 22, Juche 17 (1928) and got the qualification as a geological expert on physical prospecting after graduating from a university.

He worked as researcher and room chief of the Academy of Sciences, section chief of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, director of the General Bureau of Geology, minister of Mining Industry, chief councilor of the Administration Council, economic secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK, chairman of the Provincial Economic Guidance Committee, department director of the WPK Central Committee and chief secretary of the Secretaries Office of the Kumsusan Assembly Hall.

He has worked as vice director of the Planning and Financial Department of the WPK Central Committee up to now since 2006.

Han Kwang Bok (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA biography:

Han Kwang Bok was appointed as vice-premier of the Cabinet and concurrently minister of Electronics Industry at the 3rd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
She was born on March 18, Juche 35 (1946). She got qualifications as an electronics engineer after graduating from Kim Chaek University of Technology.

She worked as instructor and chief instructor of the Metal and Machine-Building Industries Commission and vice-minister of Machine-Building Industry.

She has worked as minister of Electronics Industry up to now since 2009.

Likely two or three days ahead of the 7 June 2010 SPA session, Kim Jong Il visited the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm in Samsok District, Pyongyang.  The farm is under the management of the Ministry of People’s Security/Korean People’s Interior Forces (previously known as the Ministry of Public Security) and was declared “11th scenic spot of the Songun [Military First] Era.”  As Jang Song Taek manages MPS, it is likely KJI’s appearance at the farm is related to Mr. Jang’s appointment as NDC Vice Chairman.  KJI was last reported to have appeared at the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm on 28 November 2009, this was his last reported public appearance before the country implemented its widely reported currency redenomination.

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