Analysis At plenum, Kim Jong Un forces out elderly officials to make way for new bloodNorth Korean leader could rely on new cadres for years, while other changes signal new line on enforcing social control ![]() North Korea’s four-day party meeting that ended on Monday announced little in the way of new policies, but state media still revealed several leadership changes that provide hints at Kim Jong Un’s policy plans. One major trend was the apparently forced retirement of several elderly cadres, in particular Ri Pyong Chol from the powerful Politburo Presidium. This has happened sporadically in recent years, but this time Kim Jong Un appears to be signaling the introduction of a new group of cadres who he will rely on for years, if not decades. Another development © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |