North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan

Kim Jong Un stands in the statue hall at Ku'msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang around midnight on January 1, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un and senior Korean People’s Army officials stand in the statue hall at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang around midnight on January 1, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his inspection of a multiple-launch rocket system [MLRS] drill in Kangwo’n Province.

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang at midnight on January 1 (Thursday).   Among the senior Korean People’s Army [KPA] and security officials in attendance with him were: VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong (Minister of State Security), Col. Gen. So Hong Chan (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Col. Gen. Kim Chun Sam (Director of the KPA General Staff Operation Bureau), Col. Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Deputy Director of the KPA General Political Department), Col. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Deputy Director of the KPA General Political Department), Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Director of the Military Security Command), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (immediate past Chief of the KPA General Staff and military adviser to KJU) and Col. Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Director of the Guard Command).

A KPA Honor Guard stands alongside floral baskets from Kim Jong Un (L) and the KPA ( R)  (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A KPA Honor Guard stands alongside floral baskets from Kim Jong Un (L) and the KPA ( R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un entered the statue hall.  Floral baskets from the KPA and KJU were placed in front of the statues of his grandfather, late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng), and father, late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il).   Kim Jong Un and the senior officials “paid tribute to the statues in humble reverence,” according to KCNA.  They visited the room containing Kim Il Sung’s preserved remains where they “made New Year’s greetings” in “the humblest reverence.”  They walked around a room containing various titles, diplomas and honorifics given to KIS as well as a room displaying KIS’ personal Mercedes Benz sedan and railway coach.

Kim Jong Un and the other visitors then visited the room containing Kim Jong Il’s preserved remains where they extended New Year’s greetings “in the humblest reverence.”  They walked around a room exhibiting various diplomas and titles given to KJI, a hall of mourning and remembrance and a room displaying KJI’s personal Mercedes Benz sedan, his railway coach and an electric cart.

An affiliate of 38 North