Kim’s inner circle comes into focus

By Kim Young-jin

The coterie of powerful aides surrounding North Korea’s chosen successor Kim Jong-un has come into clearer focus after they appeared in choreographed events to mourn the death of his father, the late Kim Jong-il, analysts said Thursday.

Experts said the figures accompanying Kim as he walked alongside his father's hearse the day before provided hints as to who would shepherd the twenty-something leader as he launches his regime.

“These are all very strong supporters of Kim Jong-un and represent his inner circle,” said Bahng Tae-seop, an analyst with the Samsung Economic Research Institute.

Walking directly behind Kim were Jang Song-thaek, his influential uncle, and Kim Ki-nam, a senior party secretary, players expected to shore up his power in the ruling Workers’ Party.

Most analysts agree that Jang, who holds senior roles in both the party and military, will take the most significant advisory role as Kim, thought to be 28, consolidates power. Jang is likely to be active in foreign affairs, the expert said. Kim Ki-nam has a long history helping the Kim family retain power.

Those on the opposite side of the hearse included military chief Ri Yong-ho; Kim Jong-gak, who is in charge of military organization; and U Tong-chuk, a member of the powerful National Defense Commission.

Ri is considered a rising star in the North and a close aide to Jong-un. Kim Jong-gak is said to keep a close watch over military ranks for dissent while U is said to oversee state security.

In addition, Kim Kyong-hui, the late Kim’s younger sister and a member of the party’s politburo, was seen near Kim Jong-un during the memorial service. Her power is also said to be on the rise as she will help protect her nephew as he takes the reins.

Despite receiving the title of “Supreme Leader,” analysts still express concern that Jong-un may encounter problems seeking to secure unquestioned power over the Stalinist state. While his father had decades to burnish his credentials, Jong-un only emerged as heir in 2010.

The late Kim, who died of heart failure earlier this month, seems likely to have had that inexperience in mind when he assembled the lineup of aids, analysts said.

Choi Jin-wook of the Korea Institute for National Unification said the title made the young Kim the “obvious leader” of the country, but that he still needs to become head of the Korean People’s Army and secretary-general of the Workers’ Party in the weeks and months to come to cement his legitimacy.

Choi, however, added even when he does gain the multiple posts, Jang will be working closely together with him in decision-making.

“Compared to Jang, the other figures are far behind,” he said, adding that the power broker had mobilized his own followers to support Kim Jong-un.