Free Republic

A changing of the bodyguards for Kim Jong-un South official says North replaced military soldiers with party officials Sept 13,2012 North Korea has replaced the bodyguards of leader Kim Jong-un with ruling party officials, a South Korean government official told the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday, raising speculation that the power of the communist regime is apparently shifting to the party away from the military. So far, members of the military have worked in the so-called general guard bureau, which is responsible for protecting the leadership. In the past, these well-trained soldiers, indoctrinated with juche (self-reliance) propaganda and accompanying the dear leader...

Governors will be able to call on at least 50 percent of their National Guard forces for homeland defense missions and other state emergencies because of a plan to realign Army and Air Guard units during the next few years, the chief of the National Guard Bureau promised in late February. "We will balance our forces, focusing on the right force mix and the right kinds of units with the right capabilities in every state and territory," vowed Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum while addressing the National Governors Association's winter meeting here. The intent is to have no more than...