By Kang Seung-woo
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's close aide Hwang Pyong-so has become the reclusive state's No. 2 man, as he was confirmed as the military's top political officer by its state-run news agency, Friday.
Whereas, Choe Ryong-hae ― who was once seen as the second-most powerful man after the execution of Kim's uncle Jang Song-thaek in December ― was sent packing after only a two-year spell in the post. That means that the North will see its third second-in-command in half a year.
Pyongyang watchers say that the move is aimed at strengthening Kim Jong-un's unitary leadership by appointing his aide next to him.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described Hwang as the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in a report on May Day celebrations in Pyongyang on Thursday.
The position is responsible for observing discipline in the military and is regarded as the second-highest, under Kim, in the country.
Hwang's appointment comes just five days after he was promoted to a vice marshal, the second-highest military rank in the Stalinist country ― shared with Choe and four others.
In addition, he was named as the senior deputy director of the Korean Workers' Party (KWP) organization guidance department in March and became a four-star general last month.
Hwang, estimated to be around 65, burst onto the scene in 2005, when the late former leader Kim Jong-il was at the helm, and often accompanied Kim during his military inspections.
Since September 2009, he had been off the media's radar before showing up again in time with the younger Kim taking power.
"When Kim was promoted to a four-star general in September 2010, Hwang also became a two-star general, which indicated he was earning confidence from his younger boss," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute.
The analyst added that Hwang enjoyed another promotion to a three-star general six months later ― a sign that he was one of the closest aides to Kim.
His meteoric rise is in stark contrast with Choe's recent absence from public appearances.
Last Thursday, Choe did not attend a key meeting on the eve of the anniversary of the founding of the North's military, raising speculation on his political fate.
In addition, given that the shakeup took place several days after the North Korean leader criticized a military unit for failing to make strong combat preparations during his inspection of a shelling drill, there was speculation that Kim had purged Choe due to the latter's rising power.
However, Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Eui-do said there is little possibility that Choe was purged, citing the lack of North Korea's official announcement on key political meetings on purges.
He also said that given that it has been only two weeks since Choe was elevated to new vice chairman of the North's National Defense Commission, there is a low possibility of his purge.
Cheong said that the move will help Kim consolidate his own power all the more.
"Choe Ryong-hae was loyal to Kim, but his father Choe Hyon was described as the real leader of the 1937 high-profile battle against the Japanese that helped found the North," he said.
"Should the Kim Jong-un regime be unstable, Choe would potentially emerge as an alternative. But Hwang would not."
Despite Hwang's rise, a question mark hangs on his unproven leadership.
"Although his loyalty and sincerity have been confirmed, his leadership has not," said Cheong.
"So, it is uncertain if he will be able to assume the job for a long time."
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| Hwang Pyong-so |
Whereas, Choe Ryong-hae ― who was once seen as the second-most powerful man after the execution of Kim's uncle Jang Song-thaek in December ― was sent packing after only a two-year spell in the post. That means that the North will see its third second-in-command in half a year.
Pyongyang watchers say that the move is aimed at strengthening Kim Jong-un's unitary leadership by appointing his aide next to him.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described Hwang as the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in a report on May Day celebrations in Pyongyang on Thursday.
The position is responsible for observing discipline in the military and is regarded as the second-highest, under Kim, in the country.
Hwang's appointment comes just five days after he was promoted to a vice marshal, the second-highest military rank in the Stalinist country ― shared with Choe and four others.
In addition, he was named as the senior deputy director of the Korean Workers' Party (KWP) organization guidance department in March and became a four-star general last month.
Hwang, estimated to be around 65, burst onto the scene in 2005, when the late former leader Kim Jong-il was at the helm, and often accompanied Kim during his military inspections.
Since September 2009, he had been off the media's radar before showing up again in time with the younger Kim taking power.
"When Kim was promoted to a four-star general in September 2010, Hwang also became a two-star general, which indicated he was earning confidence from his younger boss," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute.
The analyst added that Hwang enjoyed another promotion to a three-star general six months later ― a sign that he was one of the closest aides to Kim.
His meteoric rise is in stark contrast with Choe's recent absence from public appearances.
Last Thursday, Choe did not attend a key meeting on the eve of the anniversary of the founding of the North's military, raising speculation on his political fate.
In addition, given that the shakeup took place several days after the North Korean leader criticized a military unit for failing to make strong combat preparations during his inspection of a shelling drill, there was speculation that Kim had purged Choe due to the latter's rising power.
However, Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Eui-do said there is little possibility that Choe was purged, citing the lack of North Korea's official announcement on key political meetings on purges.
He also said that given that it has been only two weeks since Choe was elevated to new vice chairman of the North's National Defense Commission, there is a low possibility of his purge.
Cheong said that the move will help Kim consolidate his own power all the more.
"Choe Ryong-hae was loyal to Kim, but his father Choe Hyon was described as the real leader of the 1937 high-profile battle against the Japanese that helped found the North," he said.
"Should the Kim Jong-un regime be unstable, Choe would potentially emerge as an alternative. But Hwang would not."
Despite Hwang's rise, a question mark hangs on his unproven leadership.
"Although his loyalty and sincerity have been confirmed, his leadership has not," said Cheong.
"So, it is uncertain if he will be able to assume the job for a long time."
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