[Opinion] Jang Sung Taek

Only few parents can bend their children’s stubbornness. That is particularly true when grown-up children insist on getting married despite the objection of their parents. The same applied to the late former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Although he exerted absolute, omnipotent power, he could not stop his eldest daughter, Kyung Hee, from falling in love and marrying a man with an ordinary background. The man who overcame the social class gap and became the son-in-law of Kim Il Sung in 1972 is none other than Jang Sung Taek, who earned a degree in politics and economy at Kim Il Sung University.

Koh Young Hwan, the first ever North Korean diplomat to defect to South Korea in 1991, described Jang, who captivated Kim Kyung Hee’s heart, in his memoirs “Pyongyang 25 Hours ” as, “He is well-built, handsome, and smart. How else would the princess fall in love?” In fact, it is reported that he has a good character, talented in singing, dancing and drinking, and that he would often attend his brother-in-law Chairman Kim Jong Il’s weekend secret parties. There were also rumors that he was the man Chairman Kim most trusted.

In the process of Chairman Kim becoming the successor of North Korea, Jang was the director of Party, Youth and Three Revolution Department, playing the role of royal guard to Chairman Kim, and in 1995 became the director of First Party Organization Leadership. This powerful post overlooked the judiciary, prosecution, and public security functions. Although there were reports that he was the number two man, he did not appear in official events after July 2003. There were all types of rumors ranging from house arrest because of power struggles to being imprisoned at a concentration camp for political dissidents.

On January 28, the same man reappeared as the director of First Party Labor Organization and Capital Construction Division. In particular, his reinstatement is interesting considering that it was confirmed right after Chairman Kim’s visit to China (January 10 to 18). It is speculated that Chairman Kim, keenly feeling the need for economic reforms and opening, wanted to entrust the matter to his closest associate Jang. We will have to watch whether the reinstated Jang will become the main driving force of North Korea’s opening and reforms, just as the indomitable Deng Xiaoping was for China.

Han Ki-heung, Editorial Writer, eligius@donga.com