[남북의 창] ‘김정은 복심’ 실질적 2인자로…조용원 전면 배치 [클로즈업 북한] / KBS 2026.04.04.

In North Korea, a one-man dictatorship under Chairman Kim Jong-un, who stands right beside that absolute power is of paramount importance within the country's power structure. That is why the person drawing attention is Jo Yong-won, who rose to the position of Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly—the second-highest ranking position—following the recent Workers' Party Congress. He has been known as Kim Jong-un's innermost confidant, accompanying him on inspections in his socks and managing the loyalty of officials. We analyzed why he has emerged to the forefront and what the fate of the second-in-command will be in a dictatorial regime. [Report] The Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, which corresponds to our National Assembly. On the 22nd of last month, North Korea held the Supreme People's Assembly and finalized the composition of the Standing Committee, the State Affairs Commission, and the Cabinet. At this meeting, Jo Yong-won, the former Secretary for Organization of the Workers' Party, who was considered a close aide and key power broker to Chairman Kim Jong-un, was elected Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly. The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly holds the second-highest ranking position in North Korea's power hierarchy. [Korean Central Television: "Jo Yong-won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."] Jo Yong-won has also been listed as the First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; judging solely by his title, he is evaluated as the "de facto second-in-command" following Chairman Kim Jong-un. [Nam Sung-wook / Distinguished Professor, Sookmyung Women's University: "The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly also serves as the head of state acting on behalf of Kim Jong-un. For example, when a foreign ambassador arrives in Pyongyang, the Chairman of the Standing Committee sometimes acts on their behalf when presenting their credentials. Until now, Jo Yong-won quietly handled matters such as personnel and organizational management behind the scenes under Kim Jong-un's instructions. However, now that he is stepping to the forefront, it appears he will play the role of a representative figurehead, spreading Kim Jong-unism to the residents on behalf of Kim Jong-un, in addition to handling organizational personnel matters."] Born in 1957, Jo Yong-won hails from Jagang Province and is known as a self-made man born into an ordinary family. After graduating from Kim Il Sung University, he began his public service career as an instructor in the Kangwon Provincial Party Organization Department and subsequently gained practical experience while working in the Central Party Organization Department. [Korean Central Television: "Comrade Jo Yong-won, Deputy Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, accompanied the group."] It was after Kim Jong-un came to power that Jo Yong-won began to rise to prominence in earnest. He made his presence felt at the 7th Party Congress in 2016. The sight of Chairman Kim Jong-un turning around to call him at the Congress drew widespread attention. In particular, the image of him lowering himself to receive instructions from Chairman Kim and even smiling was a decisive moment demonstrating that he was a key figure in the Kim Jong-un regime. Since then, Jo Yong-won has continued to accompany Chairman Kim like a shadow wherever he went. His political standing became even more firmly established following the 8th Party Congress in 2021. [Korean Central Television/January 2021: "Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Jong Un, Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Byong Chol, Kim Deok Hun, Jo Yong Won."] He has secured all key positions in the Party, government, and military, including Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee, and member of the Central Military Commission. He drew attention at the military parade commemorating the 8th Party Congress by appearing in a leather coat of the same design as Chairman Kim Jong Un's; this is seen as a scene demonstrating just how deep Chairman Kim's trust in Jo Yong Won is. [Jeong Seong-jang / Deputy Director of the Sejong Institute: "In the case of Jo Yong-won, the extent of Kim Jong-un's trust is clearly revealed by the positions he held at the 8th Party Congress in 2021. At the 8th Party Congress in 2021, Jo Yong-won was elected as a Standing Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and a member of the Central Military Commission. There are no other instances where a figure has been elected to all three of these positions except for Kim Jong-il at the 6th Party Congress in 1980 and Kim Jong-un at the 8th Party Congress. This demonstrates just how close ...