Confused Military Rank in North Korean Diplomacy? ... Focus on Ri Son-gwon's Status Change

Attention Also on the Whereabouts of Choe Son-hui, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Ri Son-gwon taking a commemorative photo at the inter-Korean summit held at Panmunjom on April 17, 2018.

Ri Son-gwon, who has been in charge of inter-Korean affairs, has reportedly been appointed as North Korea's Foreign Minister, drawing attention to the status of Choe Son-hui, the First Vice Foreign Minister, who is a key figure in diplomacy with the United States. Choe, besides holding a symbolic position as a 'gatekeeper power' in Kim Jong-un's regime, also has a higher actual political standing than Ri Son-gwon. There are simultaneous speculations that North Korea may elevate Ri Son-gwon's party status through subsequent personnel changes and that Choe Son-hui might face dismissal.

Ri Son-gwon, newly appointed as Foreign Minister, unlike his predecessor Ri Yong-ho, is neither a member nor a candidate member of the Political Bureau. He remains only a member of the Party Central Committee, which is typical for a ministerial-level official. On the other hand, Choe Son-hui is not only a member of the Party Central Committee but also a member of the State Affairs Commission, placing her higher in the power hierarchy than her direct superior.

Kim In-tae, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy, said, "If it is true that both Ri Su-yong and Ri Yong-ho were simultaneously dismissed, it can be seen as a disciplinary action," adding, "In that case, there is also a possibility of a change in Choe Son-hui's position." He noted that it is suspicious that among the three leading figures in diplomacy with the U.S., only Choe Son-hui remains free from disciplinary measures.

However, Kim said it is difficult to predict that possibility. He stated, "If Ri Son-gwon has been promoted to Foreign Minister, there is a possibility of subsequent changes in party positions," and that the Ri Son-gwon?Choe Son-hui system may not necessarily be doomed to fail.

Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, "Choe Son-hui is a gatekeeper power who reports directly to Kim Jong-un," and "there is currently no reason to believe she will be dismissed." He added, "Although there is a contradiction in political ranking, it is not entirely impossible in the North Korean system," and suggested "it is necessary to observe official announcements from North Korean media more closely."

Some speculate that Choe Son-hui might take charge of U.S. and North Korean nuclear diplomacy, potentially leading to a dual-track system.

Meanwhile, on the 20th, the Ministry of Unification stated regarding the reported replacement of North Korea's Foreign Minister, who oversees the country's diplomatic strategy, that "we are carefully verifying the facts related to the Foreign Minister's replacement and are paying close attention to any changes in Ri Son-gwon's position." Lee Sang-min, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing that "there has been no public confirmation from North Korea yet" in response to related questions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.