Former Minister of People’s Security Ju Sang Song (C) talks with fellow Korean War veterans at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery in Pyongyang on 26 July 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab).
Ju Sang Song (Chu Sang-so’ng), who served as Minister of People’s Security from 2004 to 2011, appeared on Korean Central Television [KCTV] evening news on 26 July visiting the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mt. Taeso’ng in Pyongyang with other veterans of the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War). Previously a four-star general (taejang), Ju appeared on the news wearing two stars on his shoulder board indicating he now holds the rank of Lieutenant General (chungjang). According to a 29 July report by Yonhap during the news broadcast, Ju is seen talking with other veterans in front of the memorials to Choe Hyon and Ryu Kyong Su. Ju joined the Korean People’s Army [KPA] in June 1951, after the outbreak of the Korean War, and later attended Kim Il Sung Military Academy. Ju held a number command positions in the KPA’s ground forces and was appointed to his first political office when he was elected an alternate (candidate) member of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee at the 5th Party Congress in November 1970. He was later removed as Party Central Committee Alternate. In 1997, Ju Sang Song was appointed commander of the IV Army Corps and in 2004 he was appointed Minister of People’s Security. In April 2009 Ju was elected a member of the DPRK National Defense Commission and in September 2010 was elected a full member of the Party Central Committee and a full member of the KWP Political Bureau.
Top image: Ju Sang Song brings a floral bouquet to the memorial to Kim Jong Su, mother of KWP Secretary and Political Bureau Member Kim Kyong Hui and her brother late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il. Bottom image: Ju Sang Song talks with fellow war veterans at the cemetery (Photos: KCTV screengrabs).
In March 2011 he was removed from office as the Minister of People’s Security and an NDC Member due to what the NDC said was ill health. Somereports claimed that Ju was dismissed because he did not demonstrate the proper concern and vigilance in investigating and arresting university students who allegedly vandalized the birthplace and childhood home of the late DPRK President and founder, Kim Il Sung, in Mangyo’ngdae. Yonhap, citing anonymous ROK government sources, reports that he “was dismissed for accepting bribes” and ”being caught in individual corruption during the Workers Party organizational guidance division’s investigation.” According to Yonhap after his dismissal Ju Sang Song was assigned to work as the chief of people’s security in Taedong County, South P’yo’ngan Province, although it also noted that “it has not been verified which position Ju Sang Song is currently holding or whether he is receiving ‘veteran treatment’ after retiring.”
Ju Sang Song was not the only senior DPRK officials who was disappeared or dismissed to show up at the anniversary events held in late July. Attending the opening of the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs’ Cemetery, held on 25 July, were former Minister of People’s Security (2011-2013) Gen. Ri Myong Su (who replaced Ju Sang Song), Senior Vice Minister of State Security Gen. U Tong Chuk and former Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Jae Gyong. Gen. Ri Myong Su also visited the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery, as did former chief of the KPA GeneralStaff Operations Bureau, Gen. Kim Myong Guk.
Filed under: 2007-2010 kpa management, 27 July 2013 (Victory Day/Armistice), Administration Department, Central Committee, Central Military Committee, central party life, Civil Defense Department, corps command, corps commanders, DPRK Civil Defense Forces, DPRK Intelligence Community, Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), Gen. Kim Myo'ng-kuk, Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Gen. Ri Myong Su, gsd, gsob, Guard Command, Jang Song-thaek, KCTV, Kim Family, KJI Personal Secretariat, Korean People's Army (KPA), Korean People's Internal Security Forces, Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KPA General Political Bureau, KPA General Political Department, KPA General Staff, kpa IV army corps, KPA Large Combined Units, kpif, military security command [msc], ministry of people's security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (MPAF), MPAF GPB, National Defense Commission (NDC), NDC Administration Department, North Korean press, Organization and Guidance Department, Party elders, party life, Political Bureau, Secretariat, State Security Department
