Kim Jong-Un's security detail is an elite and complex system designed to protect the North Korean leader at all costs. Comprised of highly trained bodyguards and military units, the Supreme Guard Command operates under strict protocols, ensuring loyalty and physical prowess among its members. This blog post explores the rigorous selection process, the extensive training, and the multifaceted roles of Kim's bodyguards, revealing the lengths to which North Korea goes to safeguard its leader.
Kim Jong-Un has made no shortage of enemies, both domestic and foreign. However, those who wish to target the notorious dictator will find that they have their work cut out for them. The protection of the North Korean leader is nothing short of extraordinary.
World leaders typically have robust security measures in place. For instance, the United States President is protected by the Secret Service, and their residences are fortified for good reason. A notable incident occurred in 1995 when a mentally disturbed individual managed to break into the Canadian Prime Minister’s house. However, Kim Jong-Un's security measures are particularly vigilant and elaborate.
The North Korean leaders are guarded by a team that resembles an elite military squad more than traditional bodyguards. This is not merely about protection; it is also about projecting power. This was evident during Kim Jong-Un's diplomatic summit in Singapore in 2018, where he was seen arriving in a presidential car flanked by sharply dressed bodyguards running alongside it. This unusual display highlighted the unique nature of his security detail.
The bodyguards protecting Kim Jong-Un are part of a larger organization known as the Central Party Office #6. Gaining entry into this elite team is no easy feat. Candidates must pass a series of stringent tests, starting with physical requirements such as height, as they need to be roughly the same height as Kim Jong-Un. This may be to ensure they have the right vantage point or simply because Kim prefers not to be surrounded by taller individuals.
Candidates must meet several criteria:
Being part of Kim Jong-Un's security detail is considered one of the most prestigious positions in North Korea. Many of those selected are insiders, often distant relatives of the Kim family or individuals from elite families loyal to the regime. However, unlike the Secret Service, refusing this high-risk position is not an option. Members of the North Korean military are expected to follow orders without question.
North Korea has one of the most extensive conscription laws globally, with men inducted into the military at the age of 14 and beginning training at 17 for three years. This means that nearly every man in North Korea has some combat training, and a surprising number of women do as well. The regime maintains the right to conscript any woman deemed promising, resulting in one of the largest militaries in the world relative to its population.
The security detail for Kim Jong-Un is not just a small group of bodyguards; it is part of a vast military unit known as the Supreme Guard Command. This unit is responsible for the protection of Kim and is believed to have over 100,000 members. The Supreme Guard Command operates under the direct supervision of General Yun Jong-rin and has a designation number of double-nine, considered lucky in North Korea.
The history of this elite unit dates back to the founding of the Kim dynasty, with Kim Il-Sung being protected by a division of the State Security Department. However, after several coup attempts, Kim Jong-Il reorganized the guard, replacing many officers with loyalists and expanding the unit significantly. Today, it is part of the Korean People’s Army Ground Force and consists of multiple divisions, including those for combat and construction.
The Supreme Guard Command is not just about physical protection; it encompasses a wide range of functions:
Within the Supreme Guard Command, there are specialized units, including a Rapid Response Force designed to quell any coup attempts. This heavily militarized unit is equipped with armored vehicles and heavy weapons, prepared to respond to threats against Kim's safety.
At the core of Kim Jong-Un's security is a smaller, secretive unit known as Office Number Six, which consists of about 1,200 members. This unit is responsible for protecting Kim and his inner circle, reporting directly to his personal Secretariat. Candidates for this elite group undergo rigorous screening based on their loyalty and family background, adhering to the Songbun system, which ranks individuals based on their ancestors' conduct.
Once selected, candidates for the security forces abandon their names and past identities, receiving an ID number instead. They undergo an intensive six-month training program followed by two years of total training, which includes physical endurance tests such as 25-kilometer marches in full gear. Contact with family is forbidden, emphasizing the singular focus on their duty to protect Kim Jong-Un.
The security measures surrounding Kim Jong-Un are among the most elaborate and complex in the world. With a vast network of loyalists and military personnel dedicated to his protection, the North Korean leader ensures that he remains shielded from threats, both real and perceived. The lengths to which the regime goes to maintain this security reflect the paranoia and control that characterize the Kim dynasty. As the world watches, the extraordinary measures taken to protect one man continue to unfold in the shadows of North Korea's tightly controlled society.
