N.K. envoy to China unaffected by purge

North Korea’s ambassador to China, known to be one of the close aides to leader Kim Jong-un’s recently executed uncle, is conducting his duty as usual, Pyongyang’s state media reported Sunday, despite the political upheaval in the communist country.

The North’s Korean Central Broadcasting radio station, monitored in Seoul, reported that Ji Jae-ryong, Pyongyang’s ambassador to China, attended a gathering of former anti-Japan independence fighters and their families held in Beijing.

The meeting was to remember late leader Kim Jong-il ahead of the second anniversary of his death in December 2011 and the ambassador attended the event with other embassy staff members, the report said.

The appearance of Ji marks the first official confirmation that the ambassador remains unaffected by the country’s widening purge, which is centered on the execution of Jang Song-thaek, the husband of Kim’s aunt Kim Kyong-hui and the former vice chairman at the all-powerful National Defense Commission.

North Korea tried and executed the uncle of leader Kim late last week for plotting to overthrow the regime, and released photos of him dragged out of a party meeting and receiving a death sentence.

Two of Jang’s close aides ― Lee Yong-ha and Jang Su-gil both at the vice minister level ― were killed in public executions before Jang was executed and the country is broadening the purge, believed to be aimed at solidifying the grip of the young, untested North Korean leader.

Ji last appeared in North Korean news media on Dec. 2 when he attended a banquet in China, marking the 60th anniversary of economy and cultural relations between Pyongyang and Beijing.

As a career diplomat, the 71-year-old Ji is one of the closest aides to Jang and took the current position right before the death of late leader Kim Jong-il in December 2011.

Experts said it still remains to be seen whether Ji could retain his seat and eventually survive the purge. If he can, it may likely be because of the importance of North Korea’s relations with China, its biggest sponsor and ally, the experts said.

North Korean ambassadors to China have normally stayed in their seats for about a decade. (Yonhap News)