Where dog soldiers are reflected
Kim Jong Un shakes hands with former KPA Air Force commander Gen. O Kum Chol (Photo: NK Leadership Watch/KCNA).
Several public events marked the 8 February anniversary of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) foundation, including Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visiting the defense ministry’s compound. Anniversary events will occasionally bring out retired senior officials.
The intelligence and/or epistemological value of the old timers’ presence at these events is minimal. However, their presence at these events and the subsequent dissemination in North Korean media remains useful. It allows us to track what happens to some DPRK elites who have left office, almost always under murky or unclear circumstances. As such these events are an opportunity to see which elder elites are actually retired and might remain in the regime’s good graces. During party anniversary celebrations last October, former party secretary director Choe Hwi (Ch’oe Hwi) joined the cohort of elders, after not making observed appearances for a few years
KJU’s visit to the Ministry of National Defense for 8 February showed some interesting faces from the recent past Former KPA General Political Bureau(GPB) Deputy Director Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (Pak Chae-kyo’ng) and former Minister of Public Security and WPK Military Leadership Department Director Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il) both of whom had ties to KJU’s late mother Ko Yong Hui, sat on the sofa with the Suryo’ng for picture time
Also exchanging civilities with KJU and the KPA High Command was former KPA Vice Chief of the General Staff and former Air Force commander Gen O Kum Chol (O Kum-ch’o’l) , former MND and GPB senior manager VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), former MND Gen. Pak Yong Sik (who also appeared at party anniversary events in October), former Bice MND and corps commander Kim Hyong Ryong (Kim Hyoand former WPK Civil Defense Department Director Ri Yong Rae (Ri Yo’ng-rae).
Kim Jong Un sits on the couch between honored and respected KPA elders Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (left) and Gen. Choe Pu Il (right) (Photo: NK Leadership Watch/KCNA).
Three retired elites with whom KJU interacted warrant further scrutiny. Former GPB deputy director Ri Tu Song (Ri Tu-so’ng) stood behind KJU for the photo-op. Before his retirement, Ri migrated from the GPB into the central party where he served as director of the Workers’ Organizations Department from 2021 to 2024.
Former Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Pak Su Gil (Pak Su-kil) appears to have retired. After exiting the GSD slot, Gen. Pak appeared to hold an advisor’s role in similar fashion as Hwang Pyong So and Kang Sun Nam, but it seems he has moved on.
Finally, one of the most noteworthy public appearances by a DPRK elite is the appearance of former GPB deputy director and State Security chief Kim Won Hong (Kim Wo’n-hong). Kim hasn’t been seen in about seven years and there have been rumors of his incarceration and execution. According to a source, Kim Won Hong’s son is under investigation and Kim in precarious health.
