North Korea`s Power Elite

This is a photo of leading North Korean officials attending the Central Report Congress in Pyongyang Sunday in the run-up to supreme leader Kim Jong Il’s 67th birthday yesterday. In the center is Kim Yong Nam, North Korea`s ceremonial head of state and head of the parliament. On his left are Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People’s Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission; Ri Yong Mu, vice chairman of the commission; Ri Yong Ho, chief of the general staff of the Korean People`s Army; Kim Jong Gak, the first vice director of the general political bureau of the army; and Kim Il Chol, vice marshal of the army. On his right are Kim Yong Il, premier of the Cabinet; Chon Byong Ho, secretary of the Workers` Party; Choe Tae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People`s Assembly; Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of the presidium of the Supreme People`s Assembly and a man assumed to be a member of Chongryon, the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan; and party secretaries Kim Guk Tae, Kim Jung Rin and Kim Ki Nam.