Seoul: Ri Son-gwon, the high-profile director of North Korea's now-dissolved United Front Department (UFD), seems to have retained his director title even after the department's dissolution, as announced by South Korea's unification ministry. The UFD was responsible for handling affairs with South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Koo Byoung-sam, spokesperson for the unification ministry, stated in a briefing that Ri is presumed to retain his director rank. This follows a report from North Korean state media, which referred to him by the title. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Ri delivered a speech at a banquet for overseas North Koreans, marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), where he was addressed as "comrade director of the WPK's Central Committee."
Previously, South Korea's unification ministry reported that North Korea had abolished all of its official bodies tasked with inter-Korean affairs in line with leader Kim Jong-un's 2023 directive to consider South Korea as its primary adversary. This organizational revamp led to the UFD being downgraded and renamed Bureau 10 of the party's Central Committee, according to the ministry's assessment.
Monday's report from KCNA confirmed Ri's directorial status, which had been uncertain since the UFD's dissolution. As the UFD transitioned into Bureau 10, it is believed that Ri continues to manage tasks related to overseas North Koreans, duties previously under a committee within the department, as stated by Koo.
Ri Son-gwon has held significant positions in North Korea, serving as a member of the party's politburo and as foreign minister from 2020 to 2022. However, the exact role and standing of Bureau 10 within North Korea's organizational hierarchy remain unclear.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, citing information from a foreigner who recently visited North Korea, mentioned that the UFD had removed its signboard, yet its office and personnel are still operational.