NK Vice Chairman Yeon Hyeong Mook Got Treatment for Heart Disease in Russia

The Tokyo Shimbun reported from Beijing on Monday that Yeon Hyeong Mook, the vice chairman of the North Korean Defense Committee and Kim Jong Il’s right hand man, secretly visited Russia and received treatment for his heart disease.

A diplomatic source reported that Yeon, known for leading North Korea’s economic reform, arrived in Bejing on November 6, but directly transferred to an airplane bound for Russia without performing any diplomatic duties.

Details for his illness are not known. It is reported that he also had treatment in Europe in February of 2002, suspending official activities.

Yeon, a graduate of Czech Technical University in Prague, accompanied Kim Jong Il in his unofficial visit to China last April as an aide. North Korea’s official news media has not covered any of his current political affairs since he attended the National Educational Labors’ Conference held at the People`s Culture Palace on October 26.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com