Kim Yo Jong OGD, sister may have taken over a key North Korean post

  Kim Yo Jong OGD, sister may have taken over a key North Korean post.

Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong is effectively running one of the most important political bodies in North Korea, officials in Seoul believe, according to South Korea's defense minister.

The development, if true, likely further cements her status as the secretive country's second-most powerful figure.

Speaking to lawmakers in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Kim Yo Jong is likely now in charge of the Organization and Guidance Department (OGD) of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party (WPK), the party body that deals with ideological indoctrination, party organization and political appointments.


Experts say the OGD is also responsible for monitoring the estimated 3 million members of the WPK to make sure they are sufficiently loyal to Kim Jong Un and respect the teachings of the North Korean regime.

Kim Yo Jong has for years been a trusted aide and confidante to her brother. She previously served as one of North Korea's top propagandists and is now an alternate to the Politburo -- the senior body of North Korea's ruling party.

While North Korea and the ruling Workers' Party often do not publicly proclaim leadership changes, experts and analysts had speculated previously that Kim may have been put in charge of the Organization and Guidance Department earlier this year, based on her increasing portfolio of responsibilities. Jeong, the South Korean defense minister, said Kim now appears to also have an important role in shaping policy toward South Korea and the United States.

Jeong's comments appear in line with last week's assessment by South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) that Kim Jong Un had decided to delegate more of his powers to senior officials surrounding him, including Kim Yo Jong, in order to ease his workload.

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