NIS: "North Korea, Kim Yo-jong's Proxy Rule... To Alleviate Kim Jong-un's Governance Stress"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lim Chun-han and Jeon Jin-young] The National Intelligence Service announced on the 20th that Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, is exercising delegated governance.

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the Future United Party and the opposition whip of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, stated during a mid-session briefing at the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "(The NIS) mentioned the term 'delegated governance,'" adding, "First Deputy Director Kim is exercising delegated governance over the overall state affairs." He also said, "This is not a succession governance," and "No successor has been decided."

Ha explained, "Chairman Kim Jong-un still wields absolute power, but he has gradually delegated some authority compared to the past," elaborating, "For example, First Deputy Director Kim receives reports on South Korea and U.S. strategies and then passes them on to Chairman Kim."

Ha further stated, "Delegated governance is not performed solely by First Deputy Director Kim. Park Bong-ju, the Party Vice Chairman, and Kim Tok-hun, the Premier, have been delegated authority over economic affairs, while military affairs are delegated to Director Choe Bu-il, and strategic weapons development is overseen by Lee Byung-chul, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission."

Regarding the reasons for delegated governance, Ha said, "First, it is to reduce Chairman Kim's governance stress. It seems that his stress has increased significantly after nine years of rule," and added, "Second, it is to avoid responsibility in case of policy failures, as the risk to Chairman Kim would be too great."

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