Han Kwang Sang (annotated) attends Kim Jong Un’s recent visit to the Ryugyo’ng Dental Hospital (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
DPRK state media has identified central party finance and accounting cadre Han Kwang Sang as a Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Department Director. In a 23 September (Monday) report about Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visit to the construction of the Ryugyo’ng Dental Hospital in Pyongyang, Han was identified as “department director of the Central Committee of the WPK [KWP].” KCNA did not disclose what department Han is directing, but it is highly likely he is serving as head of the KWP Finance and Accounting Department where has served as senior deputy (1st vice) director since 2010. In late June an unnamed ROK Government source told Yonhap that Han had been appointed department director in May 2012.
The KWP Finance and Accounting Department manages the finances of the party and those of the Kim Family. It also manages logistics and supplies for departments, offices, sections, etc., in the KWP Central Committee (i.e. the central party) and is responsible for the payroll and the distribution of benefits and perks to central party employees. Staff of the Finance and Accounting Department also work as domestic, technical and logistical staff at residential compounds for the Kim Family and other DPRK elites, and the department is also responsible for supplying furniture, building materials, appliances and foodstuffs to the DPRK’s VIP compounds. The Finance and Accounting Department owns a series of hotels, restaurants, factories and shops (both within the country and located abroad) which generate revenues for the party. The department has taken a leading role in the development, opening and management of new restaurants, shopping centers and factories in and around Pyongyang since 2009. According to Kyodo News Office #38, which had been subordinate to the Finance and Accounting Department, was consolidated into a larger entity called “the Moranbong Bureau,” under the DPRK Cabinet. If this report is accurate then Han Kwang Sang had a leading role in the consolidation. The department links directly with the Guard Command and Kim Jong Un’s executive office in the National Defense Commission. It is unclear what role the department, or Han Kang Sang, has in the rumored establishment of a powerful KWP Department of Economy.
Graphic of key organizations in the KWP Finance and Accounting Department (Photo: NK Leadership Watch)
Han’s Call Order in DPRK state media
Between April 2012 and May 2012 the order in which Han Kwang Sang’s name was listed in KCNA reports and called in state radio and television broadcasts appeared with other central party department directors and was listed or called ahead of senior deputy and deputy directors. At Kim Jong Un’s field inspection of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Unit # 655 in April 2012 Han Kwang Sang was listed between Kim Kyong Ok (Senor Deputy Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department) and Ri Jae Il (Senor Deputy Director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department). When Han next appeared in state media at Kim Jong Un’s May 2012 visit to the Central Zoo, he was listed after Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department) and ahead of Ri Jae Il. In August 2012, in a news item on Kim Jong Un’s visit to Haemaji Restaurant, Han Kwang Sang was listed after Han Kwang Bok (Director of the KWP Science and Education Department) and before Kim Kyong Ok. At a visit later the same day, Han was listed between Paek Se Pong, Chairman of the Second Economy Commission [Second Economic Committee] which is equivalent to KWP Department Director, and Han Kwang Bok.
Filed under: Administration Department, Cadre Affairs, Central Committee, central party life, DPRK Cabinet, DPRK External Relations, Economic Complexes, Finance and Accounting, General Bureau for Central Guidance, Guard Command, Han Kwang Sang, Jang Song-thaek, Jo Yon Jun (OGD), Kim Family, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, Kim Kyong Ok (OGD), Kim Sol Song (Kim Sul Song), Kim Yo Jong, KJI Personal Secretariat, KKH, Korean People's Army (KPA), Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KPA General Logistics Department, KPA General Political Bureau, KPA General Political Department, KPA supernumerary organizations, Light Industry Department, Ma Wo'n-ch'un (AD), military economy, Minister of People's Security/KPISF construction units, Ministry of People's Security engineering units, Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (MPAF), Mokran House, National Defense Commission (NDC), NDC Administration Department, North Korean press, Organization and Guidance Department, party life, Political Bureau, Propaganda and Agitation Department, Ri Jae Il (PAD), Secretariat, State Planning Commission (SPC), Third Economy, Third Floor
