N. Korea's number three Pak Pong-ju seen making on-site inspection
- 4 years ago
김정은 건강이상설 속 '넘버3' 박봉주, 평양 경제현장 시찰
With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un out of the public eye over the past few weeks,... the North's state media is reporting that the regime's third most powerful official has been out and about making on-site inspections.
An economic delegation from North Korea is also set to visit Beijing,... but reports say it has no connection with questions over Kim's health.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's whereabouts still a mystery,... many consider his younger sister Kim Yo-jong to be next in line,... in case a power shift is needed.
However,... others speculate there could be another option,... one who does not have the Kim family blood: Pak Pong-ju.
Pak,... the Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is widely considered third in line,... after the North Korean leader's younger sister.
While Kim Jong-un has stayed out of public view for more than two weeks,... North Korea's state media reported Tuesday on Pak's public activity.
According to the Korean Central News Agency,... the premier made an on-site inspection of Kim Jong-suk Pyeongyang Textile Factory in the country's capital and other economy-related facilities.
Pak was also last seen paying tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun along with other top North Korean officials.
Meanwhile,... according to Reuters, a North Korean economic delegation is set to visit Beijing this week to discuss food supplies and trade issues,... as the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the country's food supply.
The delegation is headed there amid conflicting reports about the health of Kim Jong-un.
Reuters cited anonymous sources as saying the visit is unrelated to Kim's health status.
They added the delegation were already scheduled to meet with officials from China's Ministry of Commerce to discuss trade and bolstering food imports before questions surfaced about Kim's health.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un out of the public eye over the past few weeks,... the North's state media is reporting that the regime's third most powerful official has been out and about making on-site inspections.
An economic delegation from North Korea is also set to visit Beijing,... but reports say it has no connection with questions over Kim's health.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's whereabouts still a mystery,... many consider his younger sister Kim Yo-jong to be next in line,... in case a power shift is needed.
However,... others speculate there could be another option,... one who does not have the Kim family blood: Pak Pong-ju.
Pak,... the Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is widely considered third in line,... after the North Korean leader's younger sister.
While Kim Jong-un has stayed out of public view for more than two weeks,... North Korea's state media reported Tuesday on Pak's public activity.
According to the Korean Central News Agency,... the premier made an on-site inspection of Kim Jong-suk Pyeongyang Textile Factory in the country's capital and other economy-related facilities.
Pak was also last seen paying tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun along with other top North Korean officials.
Meanwhile,... according to Reuters, a North Korean economic delegation is set to visit Beijing this week to discuss food supplies and trade issues,... as the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the country's food supply.
The delegation is headed there amid conflicting reports about the health of Kim Jong-un.
Reuters cited anonymous sources as saying the visit is unrelated to Kim's health status.
They added the delegation were already scheduled to meet with officials from China's Ministry of Commerce to discuss trade and bolstering food imports before questions surfaced about Kim's health.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.