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In Spite Of carrying firearms, the bodyguards’ primary defence for Mr Kim are their abilities of observation (of individuals near the chief and the premises), and neutralising any perceived threat with their fingers and bodies. When Kim Jong-il was once alive, there has been a ratio of 1 bodyguard to two of the senior officers accompanying him.

Kim Jong-un’s bodyguards, by contrast to his father, are fewer in number and feature a less evident presence.

Bodyguards tend to be attired in Western-taste fits and ties, as we see in Singapore, or the Zhongshan suits of birthday celebration officials. Mr Kim’s chauffeurs at all times put on linen or leather-based gloves to handle the steering wheel. additionally they use radio communications with earpieces.

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On The Other Hand, their primary conversation methods are incredibly oldschool: they put on particular badges and pins on their clothing for a given adventure to ascertain their identity, and use a series of spoken passwords and code phrases.

The Major Administrative Center of Adjutants has an envisioned 200-THREE HUNDRED group of workers, of whom over half are bodyguards, and the remainder are drivers and technical body of workers. At The Same Time As a few of the leader’s bodyguards have long careers, most simplest paintings in that capacity for 10 years.

Liquor, food and cigarettes

The Guard Command (GC) contains the second and 3rd lines of safety round Mr Kim.

While the main Office of Adjutants protects the Splendid Leader himself, the GC is principally responsible for securing the bodily premises of anyplace he happens to be, whether it is his administrative center homes, non-public residences or places he visits locally or outdoor North Korea.

Symbol copyright Michael Madden/NKLW

In Addition to that, the GC fulfils a bunch of logistical or technical functions to reinforce the leader in his job.

Shield Command body of workers go through the same selection and vetting process as Mr Kim’s bodyguards in the main Place Of Job of Adjutants. actually most bodyguards rotate out of the latter division into the GC.

Contemporary observation and reporting approximately Mr Kim’s seek advice from to Singapore cited that three planes arrived to town state from Pyongyang. Defend Command workforce were on board no less than of those planes.

These men and girls are occupied with a various selection of reinforce missions for Mr Kim. they’ll perform and maintain the secure telephone strains that the chief will use, besides as provide him with whatever computer systems he makes use of and IT safety required.

As Well As to that, they have whatever liquor, meals, and cigarettes that Mr Kim will need right through his time in Singapore, and will inspect any food or drink prior to it is served to him.

It additionally has a clinical division the place his private physicians and medical staff work, and at least of these people are with him in Singapore.

In phrases of Mr Kim’s personal security, the GC’s #2 Division bureaucracy two of the three outer strains of security round him, they usually typically take care of the place Mr Kim works, remains or visits.

The GC establishes one line immediately out of doors of the bodyguard workforce round him, followed by means of a 3rd outer line near any roads, fences or other infrastructure within a half mile of any area.

Image copyright Getty Pictures Image caption North Korean safety workforce observed outdoor Mr Kim’s lodge in Singapore

If one have been to pop right down to the foyer of the St Regis hotel the place he’s staying in Singapore, one would most probably come upon them.

This 3-tier non-public safety construction is just about unprecedented for any other world leader.

And while the running bodyguards are a putting image, it’s the extra and not right away visible layers of safety further out which are probably the most refined and extreme within the lengths they’re going to go to make sure the preservation of the Kim dynasty.

Michael Madden is traveling pupil of the united states Korea Institute On The Stimson Heart and Director of NK Leadership Watch, an affiliate of 38 North.