North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has replaced three senior officials responsible for his personal security, South Korea’s government said on Tuesday, a move analysts interpret as a sign of growing concern over potential assassination threats.
Seoul’s Unification Ministry confirmed that three state agencies tasked with protecting Kim now have new leadership.
According to the ministry, the changes were first noticed during a military parade in October, when alterations in Kim’s security detail became apparent.
Particular attention has focused on the Bodyguard Command, a unit responsible for countering threats such as drone and electronic attacks.
Analysts suggest the reshuffle may be linked to Kim’s decision to deploy North Korean troops in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, a move that significantly increased international scrutiny of Pyongyang.
Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said changes in Kim’s security arrangements were detected from October 2024, coinciding with the troop deployment.
He noted that Kim may have assessed a heightened risk of assassination attempts, possibly involving Ukrainian actors, given the global attention surrounding North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
South Korea’s intelligence agency has previously reported that Kim has tightened security around himself in response to perceived threats to his life.
This has reportedly included efforts to acquire advanced communication-jamming systems and drone-detection equipment.
In recent months, Kim has also been frequently accompanied in public by his daughter, Ju Ae, including during high-profile inspections such as that of a nuclear-powered submarine.
Analysts further note that the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States may have deepened security anxieties in Pyongyang.
North Korea has long warned against what it describes as a potential US-led “decapitation strike,” viewing such actions as a direct threat to the survival of its leadership.
The latest security reshuffle underscores the extent to which personal protection remains a central concern for Kim as geopolitical tensions involving North Korea continue to intensify.
