The U.S. government revealed on Tuesday that North Korea has completely overhauled the leadership of Kim Jong Un’s (Kim) security and escort units as of last year.
The State Department disclosed that it has updated its annual publications, including the North Korean Personnel Directory, Key Figures in North Korea, and Power Structure Chart, based on information verified through public sources such as North Korean state media reports up to the end of December last year.
The leadership changes in Kim’s security apparatus were confirmed during last year’s parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party. The head of the party’s escort department, responsible for close protection of Kim and his family, has transitioned from Han Soon-cheol to Song Jun-seol. The director of the State Affairs Commission’s security bureau, overseeing Kim’s security during foreign trips and external activities, has been replaced, with Ro Kyung-chul taking over from Kim Cheol-kyu. The commander of the escort command, tasked with protecting Kim-related facilities and certain officials, has shifted from Kwak Chang-sik to Ra Cheol-jin.
Intelligence suggests that the number of Deputy Ministers at the Ministry of National Defense has doubled from one to two. General Kang Soon-nam and Lieutenant General Cha Yong-beom are now serving as Deputy Ministers, while Major General Jeong Myeong-do and Colonel Kim Young-bok are acting as the first Deputy Chiefs of Staff at the General Staff Department. Notably, Kim Young-bok’s status has reportedly risen due to his leadership of forces deployed to Russia. The navy, an area of particular focus for Kim last year, has seen a change in command from Kim Myung-sik to Park Kwang-seob.
Leadership changes have also been observed in key military educational institutions, including the Kim Il Sung Political University, Air Force Academy, Kang Gun Myung Ching Comprehensive Military Academy, and O Jin Woo Comprehensive Artillery Academy.
The Political Bureau, the party’s core decision-making body, has seen its Standing Committee membership reduced from five to four. Ri Byung-cheol, once the second-highest ranking official in the North Korean military and a veteran in the munitions sector, has been removed from his position. His dismissal from the role of deputy chairman of the party’s Central Military Commission suggests he has effectively retired.
Sources indicate that Park In-cheol, chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly (North Korea’s equivalent to Congress), and the chairman of the General Federation of Trade Unions have also been dismissed. With no successors announced, it’s likely that vice-chairmen are currently serving in acting capacities.
Choe Son-hui, a trusted advisor to Kim expected to handle future U.S.-North Korea negotiations, has reportedly been promoted from candidate member to full member of the Political Bureau.
Several government bodies have undergone name changes. The State Grain Management Committee has been renamed the Ministry of Grain Management, the National Emergency Disaster Committee has become the Disaster Prevention Ministry, and both the Central Prosecutor’s Office and Central Court have been renamed to include Supreme in their titles.
In South Korea-related matters, the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a known intelligence agency, has been rebranded as the Reconnaissance Information General Bureau. The Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which played a role in the 2018 U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks, has reportedly been disbanded.
The State Department’s analysis of key North Korean figures reveals 19 new appointments, the removal of 28 individuals unaccounted for since 2022, and the reclassification of one deceased individual. The updated personnel directory now includes information on approximately 10,400 organizations and 17,100 associated individuals. This data is accessible through the North Korea Information Portal maintained by the State Department.