Kim Jong-gak was a member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea.
12 Facts About Kim Jong-gak
1.
2.
Kim Jong-gak served as Minister of Defence briefly in 2012, and Director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA in 2018.
3.
Kim Jong-gak was born in Jungsan County, South Phyongan Province on 20 July 1941, and joined the Korean People's Army in August 1959.
4.
Kim Jong-gak joined the Party leadership in December 1991, when he was appointed an alternate member of the WPK Central Committee at the 19th Plenary Meeting of the 6th Central Committee.
5.
Kim Jong-gak was appointed administrator of the KPA's parades and performances in Pyongyang, elected deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly starting from 1998, and promoted to general in April 2002.
6.
Kim Jong-gak was put in charge of representing the KPA during receptions for foreign military attaches.
7.
General Kim Jong-gak was seen as one of the next generations of KPA leaders, along with Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho, as well as a key asset to Kim Jong Un's rise to power.
8.
Kim Jong-gak's supposed part in ensuring the succession was enhanced in May 2010, when he presided over a military ceremony unveiling bronze statues of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong-suk.
9.
Kim Jong-gak was replaced by Kim Kyok-sik on 29 November 2012.
10.
Kim Jong-gak then held a minor position under the Kim Il Sung Military University as dean of its graduate school.
11.
On 9 February 2018, North Korean media confirmed that Kim Jong-gak had replaced Hwang Pyong-so as the Director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA and was given back his party Politburo seat.
12.
Kim Jong-gak could be seen wearing multiple decorations during a visit from a Cuban delegation.