The Kids Stay in the Picture
KJU Events Director and WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department Deputy Director Hyon Song Wol arrives with her daughter for the New Year’s celebration. Looks like mama had to work (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap).
KJU Personal Secretariat deputy chief and WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department deputy director Kim Yo Jong arrives with her son and daughter (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)
WPK Secretary of Military Affairs and CMC Vice Chairman Pak Jong Chon accompanies his family members to their seats in the VIP section. We are seeing North Korean elites literally step on each other’s toes (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
Despite prior hiccups and commotion about the families of North Korean elites attending public events, the spouses, children and grandchildren of top DPRK officials came out to the New Year’s performance on 31 December. In some cases, and perhaps this undercuts the fun of hereditary succession speculation, some North Korean elites like Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng) and Jo Yong Won (Cho Yo’ng-wo’n) appeared to have attended the event with three generations from their own families (themselves —> adult children —> grandchildren).
Kim Ju Ae and her mother Ri Sol Ju (obscured) greet Madame Ri’s friends (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
DPRK Premier Pak Thae Song sits with his family (top) and exchanges greetings with other elites (bottom) (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
WPK Secretary for Propaganda and Agitation Ri Il Hwan arrives for the New Year’s celebration with his family (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
KPA General Political Bureau Director Jong Kyong Thaek arrives with his grandson. Walking behind him is Chief of the KPA General Staff Ri Yong Gil and his wife and family (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
WPK Secretary for Organizational Affairs and Organization Guidance Department Director Jo Yong Won sits with his family (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
WPK International Affairs Department Director Kim Song Nam arrives with his family to the celebrations (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
Kim Song Nam exchanges greetings with Ri Il Hwan, perhaps in a reenactment of the cover of Wish You Were Here (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
Kim Song Nam and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui talk with one another (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
KPA Air Force Commander Kim Kwang Hyok and KPA Navy Commander Pak Kwang Sop, along with their wives, toast to the new year (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
Pyongyang WPK Committee Chief Secretary Kim Su Gil has a pleasant time with his family (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
WPK Central Committee General Advisers O Su Yong (a) and Ri Pyong Chol (b)wait for the performance to begin (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
WPK Legal Department Director Kim Hyong Sik (a) in the grandstand with his wife (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
SPA Standing Committee Vice Chairman Kang Yun Sok (a) and WPK Finance and Accounting Department Director Kim Yong Su (b) wait for the New Year’s performance to begin (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
Waiting for the New Year’s performance to begin with their families, or otherwise: WPK Document Archives Director Pak Jong Nam (a), WPK General Affairs Department Director Kim Bong Chol (b), Office #10 chief Ri Son Gwon (c), Central Prosecutors Office Kim Chol Won (d), State Planning Commission Chairman and Vice Premier Pak Jong Gun (e) and Minister of Public Security Pang Tu Sop (f) (Photo: KCTV screen grab).
