Decoding the unusual absence of senior North Korean officials

Many senior North Korean officials have disappeared from public view for long periods, even years, sparking speculation that they may have been purged. However, they have since reappeared alongside leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and army general Ri Yong Gil. (Photo: Getty)

News agencyNK NewsRecently, Tristan Webb, a former North Korea analyst at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, cited an analysis by the BBC regarding the mysterious absences of many senior North Korean officials.

This expert has compiled and compared the career paths of newly-emerged officials under the Kim Jong-un regime. The results show that even the officials most trusted by Kim Jong-un have gone through periods of mysterious “disappearance” for several months or even years.

It is worth mentioning that when this official reappears next to leader Kim Jong-un, he will be promoted soon after.

For example, Ri Yong Gil, a North Korean general, was rumored to have been executed in early 2016 for corruption after a 10-month absence. However, in reality, after reappearing, he was promoted to the rank of general.

After 2 years of absence, Mr. Pak Jong Chon suddenly returned in a higher position as artillery major general.

Meanwhile, after 8 months of "no news", Mr. Pak Thae Song suddenly appeared next to leader Kim Jong-un in the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Mr. O Su Yong also reappeared as a member of the Politburo of North Korea after a 3-year absence.

Thus, the unusual absence of North Korean officials does not mean that they have been executed or are sick, but it could also be a sign that they are about to be promoted, and the absence is when they undergo military or political training.

According to Dan Tri