What was behind N. Korean official’s wardrobe switch?

Posted on : 2013-05-27 15:55 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
While in Beijing, Choe Ryong-hae unexpectedly changed into all black to meet the Chinese president
 Choe Ryong-hae vice marshal of the (North) Korean People’s Army meets with Liu Yunshan
Choe Ryong-hae vice marshal of the (North) Korean People’s Army meets with Liu Yunshan

By Park Byong-su, staff reporter

Throughout North Korean vice marshal Choe Ryong-hae’s visit to China last week, he wore his military uniform except for when he donned civilian garb to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping. When Choe returned to North Korea on the evening of the same day, he was once again wearing his military uniform. Curiosity is increasing about the reasons for his wardrobe change.

Choe stayed clad in military attire, clearly displaying his rank as vice marshal, from his departure from Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on May 22 and throughout his meetings with various Chinese officials. It stayed on when he met with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, on May 22; Liu Yunshan, first secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, on May 23; and Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on May 24.

But when Choe was granted a meeting with Xi Jinping on the afternoon of May 24, he showed up in black civilian attire.

Some analysts believe that Choe switched outfits because his meeting with Xi represented contact between the respective Communist parties of China and North Korea.

“Each time that China made reference to Choe, they emphasized the fact that he is a member of the politburo of the Workers’ Party of North Korea,” an unidentified South Korean government official said. “The reason that Choe did not wear his military attire when he met with Xi Jinping was to emphasize his status as a special envoy from the highest-ranking official in the party.”

According to that logic, it is unclear why Choe wore military attire when he was talking with Wang and Liu, who unlike Fan are not involved with the Chinese military. A senior official in the South Korean government pointed out that even though Choe had said he was visiting China in the capacity of a party official he had still worn his military uniform when he met Chinese party officials who were dressed in suits. “If he didn’t have some other intention, this violates common sense,” the official said.

Some analysts suggest that Choe deliberately continued to wear his uniform to reinforce the North Korean argument that they are currently in a state of war.

Choe’s sudden clothing switch brings to mind the behavior of Jo Myong-rok, who visited the US as a special envoy of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Oct. 2000. At the time of his visit, Jo was first vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission as well as director of the Korean People’s Army General Political Bureau. But in contrast with Choe, Jo wore a suit during his entire visit in the US until his meeting with former US President Bill Clinton, when he appeared in his military uniform.

Wendy Sherman, a counselor to the US Department of State at the time (and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs today) was reported in the media as describing the wardrobe change as an attempt by North Korea to indicate that not only the foreign ministry and the civilian sector but also the North Korean military were taking part in an attempt to mend ties with the US.

 

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