North Korean Military Shakeup

Over the weekend of June 3^rd ,2018, it was reported that three top military officials had been removed from their posts. Supposedly the shakeup come as Kim Jong-un is trying to silence dissent ahead of the summit with President Donald Trump, on June 12^th.  The three officials that have been reported to be removed are defense chief Pak Yong-Sik;  chief of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), Ri Myong-su, and Kim Jong-gak the director of the KPA General Political Bureau. Pak Yong-Sik was listed in recent Department of Treasury designation targeting North Korean leaders.

The shake up in leadership may allow Kim  to tighten control over the Korean Army before the meeting with the U.S. next week.  Tightening control over the army would allow Kim control over economic development efforts, as the army plays a major role in the North Korean economy.

All the newly appointed officials are younger than their predecessors. One new appointees is 63-year-old Ri Yong-gil, who is 21 years younger than Ri Myong-su. It was reported that Kim Su Gil, another replacement appointment has risen in prominence within the recent months and was seen accompanying the North Korean leader on a May 26th.

This is not the first time that Kim Jong-un has removed top officials within his administration. In early August 2016 Kim ordered the execution of two top officials. Ri Yong Jin, a senior education ministry official was arrested and charged with corruption after reportedly falling asleep during a meeting, and Agriculture Minister Hwang Min was killed after reported involvement in working on a proposed project not favored by Kim. Both officials were executed by anti-aircraft gun. This was the first recorded execution by Kim of an official that was not within the military ranks.

One of the most high-profile executions was the execution of Kim’s uncle Jang Song-thaek. Thaek was charged with corruption including selling natural resources at a discount to China. Close ties to China has been a common theme among purged officials.

Other high profile executions include military chief Ri Yong Gil who was charged with corruption. General Pyon In Son who disagreed with Kim and finally defense minister Hyon Yong Chol for sleeping during a rally. Reports of the purges are not uncommon but sometimes are not the most reliable and hard to prove.

General Hyon Yong Chol was killed by anti-aircraft fire after reportedly dozing off in a meeting and second guessing orders by Kim. Since 2012 it is reported that 68 senior officials have been killed for not following orders of Kim or questioning his decisions.

In February 2017 it was reported that 5 officers of the State Security Ministry were killed by anti-aircraft guns after falsifying reports that were sent to Kim Jong Un. The reports were about worker party officials as well as the citizens of North Korea.

Also in February of 2017, Kim Jong Un’s half-brother Kim Jong Nam was killed while waiting to board a flight at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women put a nerve agent on his face while he was checking in at the Kiosk for his flight. It was later determined that the nerve agent that was the agent VX a banned nerve agent by international treaty.

Kim continues to remove any obstacle to his authority entering into the upcoming summit June 12^th. While it’s important for U.S. negotiators to have confidence that Kim has the ability to enforce any agreement which may arise, the history of purges remains a reminder of the nature of the North Korean Regime.