As North Korea sending troops to support Russia has attracted international attention, South Korean intelligence agencies have stated that the North Korean authorities have recently become aware of the risk of assassination against their leader Kim Jong Un, and are increasing security measures for him.
According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean National Intelligence Service (hereinafter referred to as the NIS) stated on Tuesday (October 29) in the National Assembly that since the beginning of this year, the number of public appearances by Kim Jong Un has increased by more than 60% compared to the same period last year. To prevent Kim Jong Un from being assassinated, North Korea’s relevant departments have deployed communication interference vehicles and introduced unmanned aerial detection equipment, intensifying the security measures in place.
Furthermore, the NIS revealed that the status of Kim Jong Un’s second daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has recently been elevated.
The NIS reported that Kim Ju Ae has begun to make appearances in activities of the Workers’ Party, receiving guidance from Kim Yo Jong, the Vice Minister of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party, and assistance from Foreign Minister Choi Sun Hee, accompanied by dedicated security guards. The North Korean authorities have also released footage of her conversation with the Russian ambassador to North Korea.
According to Radio Free Asia, Kim Ju Ae’s age has not been officially confirmed but is believed to be around 12 years old. Over the past year, Kim Jong Un has brought her to various events, leading to speculation that she may be designated as the fourth-generation leader of the Kim dynasty, succeeding Kim Jong Un.
In July, the NIS pointed out that based on the frequency of Kim Ju Ae’s public appearances, North Korea has made her a strong candidate to succeed Kim Jong Un. More than half of the events she attended with Kim Jong Un were related to the military.
In March of this year, Kim Jong Un visited a greenhouse farm with Kim Ju Ae, with official media reports referring to Kim Ju Ae as a “great leader,” further solidifying the speculation about her succession.
The NIS also mentioned in their report to the National Assembly on Tuesday that with technical support from Russia, North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite. The last spy satellite launched by North Korea in May exploded in the sky.
US and South Korean intelligence agencies have stated that North Korea has provided a large number of weapons to Russia for use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in exchange for technical support from Russia.
According to reports from Kyodo News, Kim Yong Bok, a close aide of Kim Jong Un and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the North Korean military, has already arrived in Russia and is expected to serve as the overall commander of the troops supporting Russia.
Kyodo News reported on October 26 that according to sources from the Ukrainian military, North Korean troops dispatched to Russia have gradually arrived at the battlefield. In a list of North Korean troops sent to Russia written by Russian military personnel obtained by Ukrainian authorities, Kim Yong Bok was placed at the top of the list.
While it is currently unclear when Kim Yong Bok arrived in Russia, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that he was present in Russia on October 24th.