North Korea made a big political change by demoting its state security minister



Analysis North Korea made a big political change by demoting its state security minister The demotion of Jong Kyong Thaek points to even larger internal changes within DPRK leadership Martin Weiser October 29, 2020 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Uriminzokkiri, edited by NK Pro \| Jong Kyong Thaek On Sept. 30, North Korean state media published footage of a Politburo meeting that clearly showed minister of state security Jong Kyong Thaek with the rank of three-star general. This apparent demotion immediately created buzz among South Korean media organizations. The minister of state security had only been promoted from three-star to four-star general on May 23, which made this demotion especially notable. The same order by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also had promoted Pak Jong Chon to vice-marshal, the first promotion to this position for years. Pak and Jong were the only persons promoted Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01What defectors’ exam scores reveal about the quality of North Korean health care 02North Korean Il-76 cargo planes make rare flights to northeast coast 03From aid to academia: The status of foreign organizations in North Korea 04North Korea expanding rail access to airport near Wonsan mega resort: Imagery 05Assad’s fall deprives North Korea of a fellow pariah, but its focus is elsewhere 06How Seoul’s new L-SAM interceptor boosts defenses against North Korean missiles 07Where things stand with the diplomatic community in North Korea 08Why Russia wants North Korean soldiers to march through Red Square

Analysis

North Korea made a big political change by demoting its state security minister

The demotion of Jong Kyong Thaek points to even larger internal changes within DPRK leadership

Martin Weiser October 29, 2020

North Korea made a big political change by demoting its state security minister

Uriminzokkiri, edited by NK Pro | Jong Kyong Thaek

On Sept. 30, North Korean state media published footage of a Politburo meeting that clearly showed minister of state security Jong Kyong Thaek with the rank of three-star general. This apparent demotion immediately created buzz among South Korean media organizations.

The minister of state security had only been promoted from three-star to four-star general on May 23, which made this demotion especially notable.

The same order by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also had promoted Pak Jong Chon to vice-marshal, the first promotion to this position for years. Pak and Jong were the only persons promoted

01What defectors’ exam scores reveal about the quality of North Korean health care
02North Korean Il-76 cargo planes make rare flights to northeast coast
03From aid to academia: The status of foreign organizations in North Korea
04North Korea expanding rail access to airport near Wonsan mega resort: Imagery
05Assad’s fall deprives North Korea of a fellow pariah, but its focus is elsewhere
06How Seoul’s new L-SAM interceptor boosts defenses against North Korean missiles
07Where things stand with the diplomatic community in North Korea
08Why Russia wants North Korean soldiers to march through Red Square

North Korea made a big political change by demoting its state security minister

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Martin Weiser