Kim Jong Un Pays Condolences at Jon Pyong Ho’s Wake

Kim Jong Un stands in front of Jon Pyong Ho’s casket at the Sojang Club in Pyongyang on 9 July 2014 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) extended his condolences at the wake of former Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary for Munitions Industry and National Defense Commission Member Jon Pyong Ho at Sojang Club in Pyongyang on 9 July (Wednesday).  Accompanying him were Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (WPK Secretary for Machine-Building Industries; Jon’s successor), Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Jo Chun Ryong (Chairman of the Second Economy Commission), Ju Kyu Chang (Vice Chairman of the Second Economy Commission) and Choe Chun Sik (President of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences).

Kim Jong Un and senior officials of the Korean People’s Army and the Workers’ Party of Korea pay their respects in front of Jon Pyong Ho’s casket in Pyongyang on 9 July 2014 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A floral wreath from KJU was placed in front of Jon’s casket along with floral wreaths from the WPK Central Committee, the WPK Central Military Commission, the DPRK National Defense Commission, the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium, the DPRK Cabinet, the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces and other government, party and security institutions.  Beside Jon’s casket stood a KPA honor guard.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “paid a silent tribute to the memory of the deceased and went round the bier with sorrow for the death of a veteran revolutionary who had devoted himself to the work for glorifying the immortal revolutionary exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) in developing the national defense industry till the last moments of his life.” KJU then met members of Jon Pyong Ho’s family “to express his sympathy with them.”

In attendance with Kim Jong Un were: Lt. Gen. Choe Chun Sik (1); Ju Kyu Chang (2); Jo Chun Ryong (3); Pak To Chun (4); VMar Hwang Pyong So (5); Gen. Ri Yong Gil (6); Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (7); and, Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (8) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Jon Pyong Ho lies in repose at Sojang Club in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).