Kim Jong-un “reelected” as state affairs commission chairman

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is seated alone during the WPK 7th Central Committee’s fourth plenary session on Apr. 10, compared to when he was accompanied by other officials during the third plenary session on Apr. 20, 2018. (KCNA)

WPK shuffles around its top positions during Supreme People’s Assembly

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was given the title of “State Affairs Commission Chairman” once again at the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly on Apr. 11.

On Apr. 12, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim had been elected “chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea at the First Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly” at Mansudae Assembly Hall. The position of state affairs commission chairman is considered North Korea’s “highest representative” and the “supreme leader of the Democratic People‘s Republic.”

The Supreme People’s Assembly also delegated major government positions. Choe Ryong-hae was made “president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly,” while remaining director of the Organization and Guidance Department, and vice chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), effectively replacing his predecessor Kim Yong-nam. Pak Pong-ju, who was made vice chairman of the WPK Central Committee the day before, at the Central Committee’s 4th plenary meeting, was made vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission.

Particularly notable was the State Affairs Commission’s inclusion of Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the WPK Central Committee for South Korean affairs and head of its United Front department, who’s also led negotiations with the US thus far; as well as Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The commission also included the following names: Kim Jae-ryong, Ri Man-gon, Ri Su-yong, Thae Jong-su, Ri Yong-ho, Kim Su-gil, No Kwang-chol, Jong Kyong-thaek, and Choe Pu-il. Pak Pong-ju’s previous position of premier was taken by Kim Jae-ryong. The KCNA reported that “Kim Jae-ryong was elected premier.”

“[Kim Jae-ryong] may not be a well-known figure, but this means that he has been scrutinized in settings not disclosed to the outside,” said Lee Jung-chul, professor at Soongsil University.

Kim In-tae, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS), said that with his appointment to the Central Military Commission, Kim Jae-ryong “was named as Cabinet Premier, given how the munitions economy needs to take the lead in areas that are difficult for the Cabinet economy.”

WPK Organization and Guidance Department First Vice Director Ri Man-gon – a key associate of Kim Jong-un – was named to four positions simultaneously as a Political Bureau member, Central Committee vice chairman and department director, and Central Military Commission member. A former senior South Korean government official predicted a “possibility that Ri Man-gon could take on positions within the party in the organization and guidance or munitions areas.”

Members of the WPK Central Committee raise their hands to express their approval during their fourth plenary meeting on Apr. 10. (KCNA/Yonhap News)

The Political Bureau appointment of Kim Il-sung University President Tae Hyong-chol was seen by observers as a reflection of Kim Jong-un’s position – as expressed in a letter to a lower-level party workers’ conference – that “neglect of talent, science, and technology would lead to the country’s ruin.”

WPK Organization and Guidance Department Vice Director Cho Yong-won, who was the most frequent member of Kim Jong-un’s entourage during his on-the-spot guidance travels in 2017 and 2018, was named as Central Committee first vice director (Organization and Guidance Department) and a Political Bureau candidate member.

Also appointed to the WPK Central Committee were two figures well known to the South Korean public: Samjiyon Orchestra Director Hyon Song-wol and Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who has represented the North in negotiations with the US.

By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter, and Lee Je-hun, senior staff writer

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