KJI Attends Concerts with Internal Security Chiefs

Kim Jong Il sealed the recent changes to the country’s two principal internal security agencies by attending two (2) different concerts with the agencies’ respective managers.  First, Ryo’ngdoja took in a performance of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Korean People’s Interior Forces.

Put on the stage were female chorus “Soldiers Sing of Their Supreme Commander”, female guitar quintet “This Country Is So Good”, male solo and Pangchang “Spring Reflecting Loving Care”, female solo “Country Will Recognize You”, Oungum solo “Kitchen Car Runs”, story-telling and female solo “Here is My Country, Land of Chollima”, accordion trio “Song of Best Wishes” and other colorful numbers.

While I am sure the performance was fascinating, KCNA has introduced English Pyongyang watchers to the nomenclature applicable to the Ministry of Public Security: Korean People’s Interior Forces (KPIF).

In writing about KJI’s fellow concertgoers, General Ju Sang Song, NDC Member and previously Minister of Public Security was described as “Minister of People’s Security.”  While Colonel-General Ri Pyong Sam, long-time Director of the MPS Political Bureau, was identified as “Director of the Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Interior Forces.”

Previously subordinate to the Cabinet, the MPS/KPIF is now subordinate to the National Defense Commission, meaning that KJI has technically** consolidated the country’s internal security apparatus into the NDC.  It is likely this is the same Song and Dance Ensemble which KJI watched perform under the MPS name in February of this year.

Among the audience were Ju Sang Song, member of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of People’s Security, Ri Pyong Sam, director of the Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Interior Forces, and other commanding officers of the forces, Choe Thae Bok and Kim Ki-nam, secretaries of the C.C., the WPK, Kim Kyong Hui and Jang Song Thaek, department directors of the C.C., the WPK, and other leading officials of the Party Central Committee.

KJI conducted another guidance tour of the Huichon Power Station (more on that below), and then was reported to have attended a performance “by the art squad of KPA Unit 10215 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.”  He previously attended performances by this KPA unit in February of this year, and in April 2009 and inspected the unit’s university in May the same year.

The members of the art squad put on the stage quintet poem recital “A Song in Praise of General Kim Il Sung”, serial songs “Song of Mangyongdae”, drama based on real story “Eternal Heart of Defender”, female solo “We Long for You, General”, mixed quartet “Love for the Motherland and Hate for the Enemy,” bass guitar and song “Chollima Gallops Forward”, poem and chorus “Green Pine on Nam Hill” and other numbers of various genres.

Joining him at this concert was the newly promoted General U Tong Chuk, Member of the NDC and Senior Deputy Director of the State Security Department and General Kim Won Hong, commanding officer of the Military Security Command.

Among the audience were KPA General U Tong Chuk, member of the NDC of the DPRK, KPA Generals Kim Won Hong and Hyo’n Ch’o’l-hae and other commanding officers of the army, Choe Thae Bok and Kim Ki-nam, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Kyong Hui and Kim Yang Gon, department directors of the WPK Central Committee, and other leading officials of the Party Central Committee.

KJI seems to have punctuated his concert attendance with the internal security bosses by conducting a guidance tour of the Huichon Power Station.  This was the second time in 2010 he has appeared at the construction site, which he visited several times in 2009 and is one of the signature projects of the country’s intention of “building of a wealthy and powerful fatherland.”

KJI last visited the Huichon Power Station’s construction site on 4 January 2010, notable as it was the last time he was escorted by the missing Pak Nam Gi.

**Though Public Security and State Security are technically subordinate to the National Defense Commission, they are managed by the Korean Workers’ Party.  Public Security reports directly to the KWP CC Administration Department, which is also responsible for personnel management and regulation.  The Senior Deputy Director of the KWP CC Administration Department is responsible for the daily operational management of the State Security Department.  However, some SSD personnel management and reporting is done through the KWP CC Organization and Guidance Department.

KJI grinning during a field guidance tour of the Huichon Power Station in April 2010 joined by General Hyon Chol Hae (1st from L) and Jang Song Taek (2nd from L) Photo: KCNA/dprk.blog.hexun