NORTH KOREA’S RULERS

WHAT GROUP PHOTO SAYS ABOUT NEW N.KOREAN POWER ELITE

The Chosun Ilbo, October 1, 2010

The official North Korean media on Thursday published a group photograph showing the faces of its new leadership, including heir apparent Kim Jong-un, formed at the latest extraordinary congress of the Workers Party. "A look at the group photo gives a clear picture of the power structure in the era of Kim Jong-un," a South Korean intelligence official said. "The closer one is to the Kim dynasty, the higher one rises through the ranks."

◆ Proximity Equals Power
The photo, splashed across the front page of the official Rodong Sinmun daily, features 235 officials, out of which 70 are clad in military uniforms. Another South Korean intelligence official who saw the photo, said, "Centering on Kim Jong-il, the nine rows in total contain officials in exact order of their rank in the power structure."

In the front line are Kim Jong-il and his son Jong-un, plus Kim Kyong-hui (Kim Jong-un's aunt). Seated between Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un is Ri Yong-ho (68), chief of the North Korean Army's general staff. He rose to the position of standing member of the political department of the Workers Party, which is its highest rank, as well as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Ri is tipped as the key military figure during Kim Jong-un's rule.

(...) [artículo aquí]