Seoul: Yong-won, a North Korean party secretary and one of the closest aides to leader Kim Jong-un, has not been seen in public for nearly two months, leading to speculation about a potential change in his status.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jo, who serves as director of the organization and guidance department of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, was last spotted in North Korean media on February 28. He attended groundbreaking ceremonies for regional industrial factories but has not appeared in any media reports since then. Known for his frequent presence alongside Kim, Jo's extended absence requires special attention, a South Korean unification ministry official stated on the condition of anonymity.
In addition to Jo, Ri Il-hwan, another prominent party secretary, has also been out of the public eye since January 2, when he attended an official photo session with workers and national contributors. Notably, both Jo and Ri were missing from the list of top North Korean officials who reportedly visited the mausoleum of national founder Kim Il-sung on his birth anniversary on April 15.
The unification ministry official mentioned that the government is closely monitoring these developments, considering the possibility of changes in the social status of the two officials. Historically, other key North Korean officials have similarly disappeared from public view due to reasons such as retirement, illness, correctional "revolutionary education," or purges.
In early 2025, Kim Jong-un emphasized the importance of strengthening work ethics and discipline. North Korean media reported that he condemned irregularities involving regional officials, labeling them a "mega crime" during an enlarged meeting of the party's secretariat.