Kim Jong-gak
Encyclopedia
Kim Jong-gak is a member of the North Korea
military. He is currently member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
and first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army
. He is considered a "rising star" in the North Korean regime.
in August 1959. He graduated from the Kim Il-sung Military University and later served in a number of capacities such as battalion commander, deputy commander of an army corps, chief of staff and head of a training center. He joined the Party leadership in December 1991, when he was appointed an alternate member of the WPK Central Committee
at the 19th Plenary Meeting of the 6th Central Committee. In 1992 his duties grew again: in April, during Kim Il-sung
's 80th birthday, he was promoted to colonel-general, and in December he was appointed vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces.
Since then, Kim Jong-gak acquired more and more importance. He was appointed administrator of the KPA's parades and performances in Pyongyang
, elected deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly
starting from 1998, and promoted to general
in April 2002. He was also put in charge of representing the KPA during receptions for foreign military attaches.
Starting from the second half of 2000s, Kim Jong-gak gained a more visible role. In October 2006 he gave the keynote speech to a Pyongyang rally supporting the 9 October nuclear testing. In 2007 he was appointed first vice-director of the KPA General Political Bureau; starting from that year, he frequently accompanied Kim Jong-il
in his inspection tours. In August 2008, he gave the keynote speech during a meeting celebrating the anniversary of "Kim Jong-il's Songun
leadership".
Kim Jong-gak's leading role was finally set at the 1st Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly in 2009, when he delivered the speech proposing Kim Jong-il's reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission
, and was elected himself to the National Defence Commission
, the membership of which was expanded at that very meeting. In September 2010, at the Party Conference, he was promoted to Politburo alternate member and Central Military Commission
member.
General Kim Jong-gak is currently seen as one of the next generations of KPA leaders, along with Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho
, as well as a key asset to Kim Jong-un's rise to power. He is also supposedly linked to Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law; notably, both of them were removed from limelight in 2003-2005, and were promoted to high positions in 2007. Kim Jong-gak's supposed part in ensuring the succession was enhanced in May 2010, when he presided over a military ceremony unveiling bronze statues of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-suk
. In April 2011, the South Korea
n newspaper Choson Ilbo said that Kim Jong-gak is currently working directly under Kim Jong-un.
After Jo Myong-rok
's death in November 2010 left the post of KPA General Political Bureau director vacant, Kim Jong-gak probably works as its acting chief.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
military. He is currently member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
Workers' Party of Korea
The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling Communist party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea. It is also called the Korean Workers' Party...
and first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
. He is considered a "rising star" in the North Korean regime.
Biography
Kim Jong-gak was born in Jungsan County, South Phyongan Province on 30 July 1941, and joined the Korean People's ArmyKorean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
in August 1959. He graduated from the Kim Il-sung Military University and later served in a number of capacities such as battalion commander, deputy commander of an army corps, chief of staff and head of a training center. He joined the Party leadership in December 1991, when he was appointed an alternate member of the WPK Central Committee
Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea is the leadership body of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to Party rules, the Central Committee directs the Party work between the Party Congresses...
at the 19th Plenary Meeting of the 6th Central Committee. In 1992 his duties grew again: in April, during Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was a Korean communist politician who led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994. He held the posts of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and President from 1972 to his death...
's 80th birthday, he was promoted to colonel-general, and in December he was appointed vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces.
Since then, Kim Jong-gak acquired more and more importance. He was appointed administrator of the KPA's parades and performances in Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
, elected deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly
Supreme People's Assembly
The Supreme People's Assembly is the unicameral parliament of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea...
starting from 1998, and promoted to general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in April 2002. He was also put in charge of representing the KPA during receptions for foreign military attaches.
Starting from the second half of 2000s, Kim Jong-gak gained a more visible role. In October 2006 he gave the keynote speech to a Pyongyang rally supporting the 9 October nuclear testing. In 2007 he was appointed first vice-director of the KPA General Political Bureau; starting from that year, he frequently accompanied Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
in his inspection tours. In August 2008, he gave the keynote speech during a meeting celebrating the anniversary of "Kim Jong-il's Songun
Songun
Sŏn'gun, often spelled Songun, is North Korea's "Military First" policy, which prioritizes the Korean People's Army in the affairs of state and allocates national resources to the army first...
leadership".
Kim Jong-gak's leading role was finally set at the 1st Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly in 2009, when he delivered the speech proposing Kim Jong-il's reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission
Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea
The Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea is the supreme commander of the armed forces of North Korea and the most powerful person in the government...
, and was elected himself to the National Defence Commission
National Defence Commission of North Korea
The National Defense Commission of North Korea is defined by the 1998 constitution as “the highest guiding organ of the military and the managing organ of military matters.” The Chairman of the National Defense Commission controls the armed forces and, in this state where the military...
, the membership of which was expanded at that very meeting. In September 2010, at the Party Conference, he was promoted to Politburo alternate member and Central Military Commission
Central Military Commission (DPRK)
The Central Military Commission is an organ of the Workers' Party of Korea which is responsible of coordinating the Party organizations within the Korean People's Army. The full and official name is Commission for Military Affairs of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea...
member.
General Kim Jong-gak is currently seen as one of the next generations of KPA leaders, along with Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho
Ri Yong-ho
Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho is a North Korean military officer, and member of the central presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea since September 2010....
, as well as a key asset to Kim Jong-un's rise to power. He is also supposedly linked to Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law; notably, both of them were removed from limelight in 2003-2005, and were promoted to high positions in 2007. Kim Jong-gak's supposed part in ensuring the succession was enhanced in May 2010, when he presided over a military ceremony unveiling bronze statues of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk was a Korean independence activist and Communist politician. She was North Korean Great Leader Kim Il-sung's first wife and Kim Jong-il's mother.-Biography:...
. In April 2011, the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n newspaper Choson Ilbo said that Kim Jong-gak is currently working directly under Kim Jong-un.
After Jo Myong-rok
Jo Myong-Rok
Jo Myong-rok was a member of the North Korean military. He held the North Korean military rank Chasu . In 2009, he was appointed First Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Commission, Director of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau...
's death in November 2010 left the post of KPA General Political Bureau director vacant, Kim Jong-gak probably works as its acting chief.
See also
- Korean People's ArmyKorean People's ArmyThe Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
- Jo Myong-rokJo Myong-RokJo Myong-rok was a member of the North Korean military. He held the North Korean military rank Chasu . In 2009, he was appointed First Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Commission, Director of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau...