Kim Yo-jong, the Deputy Director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has re-entered the party’s core power structure after being elected as an alternate member of the Politburo during the 1st Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee. This marks her return after a five-year absence from the list of alternate members since the 8th Party Congress.
North Korea conducted personnel appointments during the first plenary session of the 9th Central Committee on Monday. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, revealed on Tuesday that Kim is now included in the new list of Politburo alternate members. These alternate members serve just below the full members of the Politburo, which is the party’s main decision-making body.
Kim first entered the Politburo as an alternate member in 2017 but was removed from the list during the 8th Party Congress in 2021. Despite this, she has continued to play a significant role in shaping North Korea’s foreign policy, particularly regarding South Korea and the United States. Her rising prominence may signal North Korea’s intention to expand its international activities.
Kim has also been listed among the department heads at the ministerial level within the Central Committee. However, her specific department assignment remains undisclosed. While the Rodong Sinmun confirmed her appointment, it did not specify which department she will lead.
Although Kim is officially known to be affiliated with the party’s Propaganda and Agitation Department, some analysts speculate that she may have taken charge of Department 10 (formerly the United Front Department) due to her prominent role in articulating North Korea’s foreign policy. There is also cautious speculation about her potentially laying the groundwork for the fourth generation of leadership by assuming the role of head of the Organization Guidance Department. The previous head of this department, Jo Yong-won, has been confirmed to have stepped down from his position in this reshuffle.
Professor Lim Il-chul from Kyungnam University’s Institute for East Asian Studies commented that with her official title as a department head within the Central Committee, Kim is expected to take on a practical leadership role in foreign affairs. As North Korea redefines its relationship with South Korea as the main enemy and shifts its policies toward the U.S. and South Korea to a more aggressive stance, she likely heads a newly established specialized department managing these directives.
The Politburo, the top decision-making body of the Workers’ Party, now comprises the highest-ranking members, including Kim Jong Un, Pak Thae-song, Jo, Kim Jae-ryong, and Ri Il-hwan. Notably, Choe Ryung-hae, who previously served as a Politburo member and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, has been excluded from the list of Central Committee members elected at this party congress.
Jo, who was responsible for practical tasks such as personnel inspections as the head of the Organization Guidance Department and Organization Secretary, has retained his position as a member of the Politburo but has been removed from the role of party secretary. Some observers suggest that Jo might assume Choe’s former responsibilities.
Kim Jae-ryong has been appointed as a member of the Politburo for the first time. His political career has seen rapid advancement since 2019, including roles such as head of the Organization Guidance Department in 2021, Central Committee Secretary in 2022, and Vice Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission in 2024. He has specialized in maintaining discipline within the party.
Ri Hi-yong, the Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission and Party Secretary, has retained his position. He was elected to these roles, including head of the Cadre Department, during an expanded plenary meeting in 2024.
A significant outcome of the recent party congress was the increase in the number of party secretaries from seven to eleven. These top officials are responsible for various party activities. The expanded secretariat now includes Kim Jae-ryong, Ri Il-hwan, Jeong Kyung-taek, Ri Hi-yong, Kim Song Nam, Joo Chang-il, Ahn Geum-cheol, Jo Chun-ryong, Kim Jeong-gwan, Kim Seung-du, and Shin Yeong-il, a newcomer to the political scene.
A Unification Ministry official commented on the recent appointments, stating that it anticipates that this generational shift will enhance Kim Jong Un’s governance capabilities. The increase in the number of party secretaries appears to be a strategic move aimed at strengthening the overall leadership capacity of the party.