0
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 17th of last month that a comprehensive circus performance by the National Acrobatic Troupe celebrating the 81st anniversary of National Liberation took place at the Pyongyang Circus Theatre the previous day, attended by Chairman Kim Jong-un. Chairman Kim also took commemorative photos with officials from the National Acrobatic Troupe. On the same day, Chairman Kim attended physical culture and sports events, watching competitions such as swimming and diving. Chairman Kim was accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae and his wife Ri Sol-ju during his attendance at the circus performance and swimming competitions. / Yonhap News

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed on the 1st that North Korea's Kim Ju-ae's frequent media appearances are aimed at effectively imprinting her as the next leader upon the North Korean public.

Representative Yoon Kun-young of the Democratic Party of Korea, the ruling party's ranking member on the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, met with reporters following the NIS briefing on the 1st and stated, "The NIS views Kim Ju-ae as being virtually in the stage of being designated as the successor."

Regarding the possibility of holding a North Korea-U.S. summit, the NIS offered an analysis that it could happen at any time. Representative Yoon remarked, "While no specific facts regarding concrete contacts between North Korea and the U.S. have been verified, there are signs of dialogue."

The NIS also views the possibility of North Korea deploying additional troops to the Russia-Ukraine war in connection with the North Korea-U.S. dialogue landscape. Representative Yoon stated, "Regarding the possibility of North Korea's troop deployment, it remains significantly low during phases of dialogue with President Trump, but it is fluid depending on changes in the situation."

Additionally, the NIS assessed that North Korea strengthened its counterintelligence functions through the Reconnaissance and Intelligence General Bureau, an expanded and reorganized entity from the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Representative Yoo Young-ha of the People Power Party, the opposition ranking member on the Intelligence Committee, stated, "The director of the Intelligence General Bureau is Ri Chang-ho, who concurrently serves as deputy commander of the overseas special warfare command," adding, "It is assessed that he holds both posts concurrently to process operational intelligence related to the Russia-Ukraine war."

Representative Yoo further added, "The NIS has secured and is currently analyzing internal documents from North Korea's Workers' Party and missile blueprints."

                                                                                                           Mok Yong-jae