The Kim Family Have Consolidated Their Control Of North Korea

On Friday North Korea’s state-controlled media outlet KCNA transmitted footage of Kim Yo Jung touring new construction in progress at a tree nursery along with her brother Kim Jong Un. File Photo by KCNA/Yonhap

South China Morning Post: With sister’s promotion, Kim Jong-un consolidates family’s control over North Korea

Adam Cathcart writes that Kim Yo-jong can no longer be ignored by North Koreans who must shield the Kim family from plots and internal discontent.

When looking at North Korea, sometimes it is useful to tune out the Americans altogether and look at who is governing the country internally, and how they are doing it. As the instrument that built and continues to amplify the overarching personality cult of the Kims, the Korean Workers’ Party remains an important vehicle both for controlling and understanding North Korea. On October 7, the party’s Central Committee voted to elevate Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, to the rank of alternate to the Politburo. It is a further reminder of the unique family dynamic that continues to shape the nominally socialist regime and increasingly marketised society.

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WNU Editor: She is probably her brother's closest adviser.