Posted on 12/18/2012 3:26:46 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Mystery man seen next to N. Korean leader likely to be arms development official: Seoul
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- A mystery man seen standing next to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in recent commemoration ceremonies is likely to be the head of the country's arms development center, a Seoul official said Tuesday.
Wild media speculation emerged over the identity of the middle-aged man after he was seen standing next to Kim during the country's commemoration ceremonies for late leader Kim Jong-il on Sunday and Monday.
North Korean figures' positions at official events are key signs indicating their ranks and levels of importance in the regime.
The Seoul government official said the man is likely to be Choe Chun-sik, the head of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which is in charge of developing military weapons.
"We presume Choe Chun-sik is related to the North's recent launch of a long-range rocket," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The communist country successfully fired off what it calls a long-range rocket carrying a "working satellite" on Dec. 12, with the outside world condemning it as a cover for testing rocket technology used for launching missiles.
The Second Academy of Natural Sciences is known to be the Workers' Party of Korea's sub-unit for researching and developing military arms and is on the U.S.'s sanction list.
Another Seoul government official also raised the possibility that the mystery man could be the chief secretary of either late leader Kim Jong-il or the current leader.
P!
If the mystery man at KJUs side is Choe Chun Sik, it is likely he was listed last because he is neither a member nor alternate of the KWP Political Bureau and DPRK news writers listed the attendees according to their Political Bureau hierarchy. Choes attendance was likely a last-minute addition. His appearance at KJUs side reflected his status as an honored guest at the memorial events, but because he is not (as yet, any way) a Political Bureau member/alternate, his name is listed further down in state media reporting.
http://nkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/mystery-man-at-memorial-events/
Kim Jong-un is in need of a new barber.
One mistake and it will be a tight-around-the-neck knot.
Thanks for posting this follow-up on who the “mystery man” is.
Is that Kim Jong Eun’s new wife to his right? She looks pregnant.
That is Mrs Chia Chub
Look like baby bump to ME
Chia Chub going be a daddy LOL!
Kim Jong Un should be told the mullet hairstyle went out years ago.
When did he sport a mullet?
I know his current ‘do is what the kids call “white sidewalls”
I could give him a haircut that would improve the lives of the Norks and make the world a much safer place.
But I won’t go there.
I guess it kinda looked like a mullet in a weird way.
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