Kim Jong Un’s Closest Aide Jo Yong-won Leads Delegation to Russia as North Korea-Russia Rapprochement Accelerates

[Financial News] Jo Yong-won, a secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and director of its Organization and Guidance Department, and one of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s closest aides, headed to Russia on the 14th leading a party and government delegation.
According to Japan’s Kyodo News, Sankei Shimbun and other outlets, Jo departed for Russia by air from Pyongyang International Airport that day. The visit was understood to have been made at the invitation of Dmitry Medvedev, leader of Russia’s ruling party, United Russia.
Jo’s detailed itinerary and schedule for his stay have not yet been made public. Local media, however, reported that he was expected to meet with senior Russian officials, including Medvedev, and reaffirm the two countries’ commitment to strengthening ties.
Among the North Korean senior officials who came to Pyongyang International Airport that day to see Jo’s delegation off were Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Workers’ Party of Korea international secretary Kim Sung-nam. Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrei Leonidovich Podolyashev also came in person, drawing attention.
Jo, regarded as a key power broker who serves Kim Jong Un at close range, has held positions including member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the Central Military Commission. At the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly held last March, he was elected chairman of the Assembly’s Standing Committee, a role equivalent to speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly. Just three months later, in June, he was appointed the party’s organizational secretary, a key post overseeing personnel and organizational affairs.


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