Pak Jong-chon: Who is Kim Jong-un's Close Military Aide and Former Artillery Specialist
Pak Jong-chon, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Rodong Sinmun)
On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on October 10th, all eyes are on the absence of Pak Jong-chon. As a trusted military aide to Kim Jong-un and the head of the WPK's Military Affairs Department, his notable absence alongside the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, during the event has raised eyebrows. While Prime Minister Kim Tok-hun, along with four members of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea and other senior party, government, and military officials, were seen paying their respects at the Mansudae Hill — home to the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il — both Jong-un and Jong-chon were conspicuously absent.
Although the subdued nature of this year's anniversary might account for their absence, it's significant to note this within the backdrop of North Korea's announcement about the upcoming launch of its third reconnaissance satellite. Speculation is rife that the absence of these two pivotal figures might be linked to military endeavors, and further updates on this matter are anticipated soon. Recent statements from North Korea have further solidified its resolve towards launching reconnaissance satellites, emphasizing that space development is a pivotal strategic move to ensure the nation's longevity.
Pak Jong-chon, head of the Military Affairs Department, was seen kneeling and whispering to Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader, and Kim Ju-ae, seated next to him, who holds the title of '5-star General.' during the September 8th midnight military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean regime. (Photo by Rodong Sinmun)
Following the North Korea-Russia summit, Kim Jong-un and Pak Jong-chon have refrained from public activities, but there have been continued reports of movement involving trains and ships near the North Korea-Russia border, suspected to be related to weapons trade. These developments have led to speculations that North Korea may be engaged in significant military activities.
Pak Jong-chon, a figure prominently linked with Kim Jong-un in military circles, has an impressive track record. He has held pivotal roles like the artillery corps commander, commander of the artillery forces, and Chief of the General Staff in the North Korean military hierarchy. Moreover, he's been a pivotal player in steering North Korea's missile development initiatives. Under Kim Jong-un's leadership, Pak Jong-chon has also stepped into the shoes of an on-site commander during various missile launches.
Pak Jong-chon's early career remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, with limited documentation available to the public. However, it is established that he is an alumnus of the Kim Il Sung National Defense University, a prestigious institution dedicated to molding high-ranking military personnel in North Korea. He first stepped into the limelight in April 2006 upon being elevated to the rank of Army Lieutenant General. With the ascendancy of Kim Jong-un in 2012, Pak Jong-chon's military engagements became more pronounced, including his involvement in joint photo-ops and overseeing military drills firsthand.
In August 2012, he accompanied Kim Jong-un during his on-site guidance on the western coast with the title of 'Lieutenant General of the Korean People's Army'. Around March 2013, he was promoted to a three-star general, and in April 2019, in commemoration of Kim Il-sung's birthday, he was further promoted to the rank of Army General. That September, he was appointed as the Chief of the General Staff of the North Korean military, succeeding Ri Yong-gil. The following October, during the 19th Politburo meeting of the 7th WPK, he, along with Ri Pyong-chol, experienced a rapid promotion to the rank of Marshal of the Korean People's Army.
In April 2014, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, oversees artillery drills by the Women's Artillery Unit of the North Korean Army's 851st Unit in Anbyon County, Gangwon State. To his left is Pak Jong-chon, the artillery commander / Yonhap News Agency.
Pak Jong-chon's rapid ascent through the military ranks, especially during the eight years of Kim Jong-un's leadership, can be attributed to Kim Jong-un's prioritization of artillery. A graduate of the Kim Il Sung National Defense University, Kim Jong-un specialized in artillery. His thesis was centered on 'Enhancing Artillery Accuracy Using GPS.' This fascination with artillery can be traced back to North Korea's skepticism towards air power. Recollections from the Korean War reveal Kim Il-sung's apprehension of air strikes due to the dominant air power of adversaries. To counter this perceived vulnerability, artillery was championed as the key deterrent.
Data sourced from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) indicates that North Korea's artillery arsenal is approximately 21,000 pieces strong. Excluding their fleet of short-range mortars, which amounts to roughly 7,500, North Korea commands the largest artillery force globally. This includes towed artillery, self-propelled artillery (collectively totaling around 8,500 units), and formidable 5,100 rocket launchers.
Kim Jong-il also emphasized artillery, stating that "modern warfare is artillery warfare." Kim Jong-un, who majored in artillery, has progressively increased investments in artillery firepower since taking power. In just three years, he added over 200 pieces of self-propelled artillery, even deploying artillery to the Worker-Peasant Red Guards (WPRG), a paramilitary organization. Kim Jong-un appointed artillery specialist Pak Jong-chon to key positions, including Artillery Commander, Chief of the General Staff (combined with Director of the Artillery Command), and ultimately elevated him to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, the top military position in North Korea.
Pak Jong-chon was removed from his role as North Korea's leading military official last December, primarily due to lapses in countering South Korean drones and other operational challenges. Nevertheless, he has recently reemerged, coinciding with heightened military collaboration between North Korea and Russia. Now, as the Director of the Military Affairs Department of the WPK, which oversees the party's military supervision, Pak is believed to be instrumental in military ties, encompassing arms transactions.
During North Korea's 75th anniversary celebration of its regime establishment in September, North Korean media broadcasted a moment where Pak Jong-chon was captured bending a knee and whispering to Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un's daughter. Despite his evident devotion to Kim Jong-un, Pak has previously been demoted twice. Additionally, should the anticipated 3rd reconnaissance satellite launch set for October not succeed, Pak could potentially face further consequences.