Kim Kyong Ok’s 85th
DPRK state media and the Party History Institute have released Volume 33 of a documentary film series on deceased core elite. This series compiles short biographies on the careers of recently deceased North Korean officials. This series gives Pyongyang watchers a view (albeit, slightly machinated) into the lives and interactions of core DPRK elites.
One departed elite in the documentary is Kim Kyong Ok (Kim Kyo’ng-ok), former WPK Organization Guidance Department [OGD] Senior Deputy Director and close aide to late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (KJI; Kim Cho’ng-il). Kim’s OGD writ was political management over the Korean People’s Army [KPA] and the State Security Department [SSD]. He earned his fourth star as a KPA general-grade officer in the same 28 September 2010 promotions list which included Kim Jong Un.
Footage of Kim Kyong Ok’s 85th birthday party gives us a nice illustration of social networks in the KPA. We are told that KKO was a stubborn person–the old, loyal warrior–ridden with cardiovascular problems and cancer, but who insisted that he continue serving KJU and the regime. So, when Kim Kyong Ok turned 85 around 2015 he was still an active official. While the documentary gives us a keyhole view into elite social networks in the DPRK we do not know the depth or intensity of the connections.
Observed attending Kim Kyong Ok’s party, and using their 2015 military ranks, were: Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Ri Yo’ng-kil), Gen. So Hong Chan (So Hong-ch’an), Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Cho Kyo’ng-ch’o’l), Gen. O Kum Chol (O Kum-ch’o’l), Col. Gen. Kim Hyong Ryong and Maj. Gen. Jong Kyong Thaek (Cho’ng Kyo’ng-t’aek).** There were other important party guests (including KKO’s OGD staff), but the quality and length of the film footage inhibits precisely identifying who they were.** Four (4) of the six (6) elites (Ri, So, Jo and Jong) identified at the party are current top officials of the KPA high command.
KPA Elites at Kim Kyong Ok Birthday Party
ELITE | 2015 Post and Rank | 2024 Post and Rank |
Ri Yong Gil | Chief of the KPA General Staff (GEN) | Chief of KPA General Staff (VMAR) |
So Hong Chan | 1st Vice Minister of National Defense (COLGEN) | MND Military Mobilization Bureau Director (GEN) |
Jong Kyong Thaek | Vice Minister of State Security (MAJGEN) | KPA General Political Bureau Director (GEN) |
Jo Kyong Chol | Military Security Command Director (GEN) | Military Security Command Director (GEN) |
Kim Hyong Ryong | IX Corps Comander (COLGEN) | Benched (COLGEN) |
O Kum Chol | Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff for Rockets (GEN) | Benched (GEN) |
Their inclusion in a retrospective on the career of a deceased elite is sensible from the PAD perspective because it underscores the decedent’s influence (he has reach from the grave!). Ri Yong Gil’s presence is notable because in 2015 he was Chief of the KPA General Staff; this is a position in the regime in which the incumbent is (more or less) handcuffed to the desk, aside from special occasions. The decision for Ri to dip out of the ops room for a soiree was not taken lightly.
Contrast that with So Hong Chan who, in 2015 was 1st Vice Minister of National Defense (f/k/a MPAF). In similar fashion as the Chief of the KPA General Staff, the incumbent Minister is also tethered to the desk so Gen. So’s attendance at the party may have been as a surrogate for the incumbent Minister. Also probably acting as a surrogate was Jong Kyong Thaek, substituting for the incumbent Minister (Director) of State Security; during the party, Jong presents Kim Kyong Ok with a written birthday greeting.
And yet, what about the presence of personages such as Gen. O Kum Chol and Gen. Jo Kyong Chol? Neither of these men was or is compelled to go anywhere unless the Suryo’ng says so. O and Jo are veterans of Pyongyang political culture and would be cautious about participating in social events centered around non-Kim Family elites. On the other hand, the party was a sanctioned event so the usual wariness did not apply. This most likely indicates they are part of Kim Kyong Ok’s patronage and support network.
**Two KPA elites who may have attended, but who cannot be conclusively identified are former MND No Kwang Chol and former Guard Command political director Kim Song Dok
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