In this March 4, 2021, file photo provided by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s government, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech during a workshop of chief secretaries of city and county committees of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, DPRK. (PHOTO / KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY VIA AP)
SEOUL – The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s ruling party has amended its rules to create a de facto second-in-command under leader Kim Jong-un as he looks to revamp domestic politics, the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday.
Citing an unidentified source familiar with DPRK, the agency reported the holder of the new post of "first secretary" would chair meetings on behalf of Kim.
Kim cemented his power at a congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in January, where he was elected its general secretary, taking a title last held by his late father, Kim Jong-il.
The new post is the most senior of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)'s seven secretaries and is likely to have been taken by Jo Yong-won of the politburo’s five-member presidium, Yonhap reported
Now Kim Jong-un wants the party to play a greater role in government, as compared to the more-military centred administration of his father, the agency added.
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"The term 'military-first politics', a major keyword in the Kim Jong-il era, is known to have been scrapped from the preface of the party by-laws," it reported.
In a statement, ROK’s Unification Ministry said new party by-laws were publicized in DPRK after the January meeting. But the ministry, which is responsible for relations with the neighboring nation, cannot disclose details, it added.
Kim Jong-un himself used the "first secretary" designation from 2012 to 2016.
The new post is the most senior of the party's seven secretaries and is likely to have been taken by Jo Yong-won of the politburo’s five-member presidium, Yonhap reported.
Jo is considered one of Kim's closest aides, whose appointment to the presidium was reported by state media.
At the time of the January meeting, analysts viewed him as holding the government's No. 3 position, after Kim and Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.
Kim Jong-un has wielded almost absolute power in DPRK's dynastic system since taking over after Kim Jong-il's death in 2011.
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Last year, a ROK lawmaker said the country's intelligence agency believed that Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, was serving as his "de facto second-in-command" but had not necessarily been designated his successor.
Kim has increasingly engaged with party members this year, particularly the cell secretaries, who are responsible for groups numbering up to 30 grassroots members each.