N. Korean paper releases photos of top military board

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea released photos of all members of its top
military board newly elected last week through the latest issue of its party
newspaper, an unprecedented move that analysts said may suggest a significant
rise in their status.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, now back in control after an alleged stroke last
summer, began his new term as chairman of the National Defense Commission in a
parliamentary meeting on April 9, when he also named 13 other members of the
commission, including his brother-in-law, Jang Song-thaek.
Analysts said Jang's advance to the commission, which was previously dominated by
senior soldiers, indicated the North Korean leader has groomed the husband of his
only sister Kim Kyong-hi as a No. 2 man.
The elections were the most significant political event in North Korea this year,
as it strives to boost unity amid economic woes and diplomatic tensions with
regional powers.
The Rodong Sinmun, published by the Workers' Party a day after the elections and
obtained by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday, ran color photos of Kim and other
National Defense Commission members on its front page, in a break from its
tradition in which only a few important figures were publicized.
Seoul officials said Kim has considerably bolstered the National Defense
Commission, increasing the number of its members to 13 from eight and bringing in
new members from outside the military.
By placing Jang, a Workers' Party department director, on the defense commission,
analysts said the North Korean leader set up a comprehensive system that combines
the party and the military and can legitimately help run the country when he is
unable to.
Jang may play a caretaking role for Kim's successor, who will possibly be one of
his three sons. Some sources say Kim has named his youngest son, Jong-un, in his
mid-20s, as his heir but Seoul intelligence officials say there is no hard
evidence to prove it.
Choi Jin-wook, an analyst with the Korea Institute for National Unification, a
state-run think tank, said Jang will likely play a central role in running the
empowered National Defense Commission and assisting Kim's governance.
"The National Defense Commission will be spearheading not only state affairs but
also preparations for a power transfer," Choi said.
The photos of the commission members were also released by the official Korean
Central News Agency on April 11, two days after the meeting of the new
parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)