김연철 "北김영철, 노동당 부위원장직 유지... 북한 내 인사 역할분담 주목"

While various reports are arising about the whereabouts of North Korean senior officials who had been involved in nuclear talks with the U.S., South Korea's unification minister says he has nothing to confirm... and is keeping an eye on the matter.
Take a listen to what Kim Yeon-chul had to say at a press conference on Tuesday... about Kim Yong-chol, who was U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's counterpart at the Hanoi talks:
"Kim Yong-chol is keeping his posts as a member of the ruling party's politburo and the vice chairman of the party's central committee. But he was recently replaced by someone else as head of the United Front Department. I'm continuously paying attention to how the roles are divided."
South Korea's Chosun Ilbo reported last week that Kim Yong-chol was sent to do hard labor... but Pyeongyang's state-run media reported that he accompanied Kim Jong-un for two days in a row.
The minister added he has nothing to confirm on North Korea's Kim Hyok-chol, who was U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun's counterpart.
CNN reported earlier today that Kim Hyok-chol is alive and in state custody, in contrast to Chosun Ilbo's report that he was executed.