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Kim Jong Un gives DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui a helpful push as DPRK elites plant trees at the museum construction site on 5 January (KCTV)

Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n), his family and senior party officials, visited the construction of the Memorial Museum of Overseas Military Operations on  5 January (Monday).  In something we might expect from the Bluths, KJU, Ri Sol Ju, Kim Ju Ae, and core elites planted and watered trees near the museum’s entrance.

This was the first #1 Event since the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife (not to mention the UAV incident in Valdai) at which we might be able to observe any changes to KJU’s personal security.   Previously, this analyst speculated that security around KJU might tighten up as a cautious response to Maduro’s arrest.   That did not happen, but this event did show that some changes were made to KJU’s close escort.  Observation of further events will be warranted to assess any major changes.

Kim Jong Un talks to his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju during the tree planting (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

There are a couple of caveats.  The 5 January event may have been held on short notice.  The security presence around KJU and the other elites was minimal to almost nonexistent.  On-site personnel pulled some trees from trucks which suggests the trees were delivered shortly before KJU’s arrival.   Also, it should be mentioned we are observing this event through state media; for all we know, KCNA could have AI vacuumed a whole bodyguard platoon from the available photos and video, but that is unlikely.

There are three areas we can observe in state media footage of the 5 January event that show that security measures around KJU were not routine—transportation, escort personnel presence and the event’s location.

KJU drives a forklift of core elites. CMC Vice Chairman Pak Jong Chon seems to be ensuring Kim Ju Ae doesn’t fall off (photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Transportation

State media footage showed three vehicles pull up to the museum—an SUV (likely a pilot vehicle) and two limousine buses.   It is highly likely KJU traveled in one of the limousines with his family and, possibly, select core elites.   This is a very small motorcade for a KJU event.

UAV view of KJU’s motorcade arriving to the museum construction site on 5 January 2026 (Photo: KCTV screenshot).

A typical motorcade for a #1 Event consists of a pilot vehicle, KJU’s ride, sedans or limousine buses for senior officials in attendance, and vans and vehicles for bodyguards, photographers and sundry staffers.  KJU has expanded his motorcade at numerous events to include a motorcycle escort in lieu of a pilot vehicle.

View of vehicles in KJU’s motorcade (background, right) at 5 January museum construction visit (Photo: KCTV screenshot).
View of KJU’s motorcade arriving at State Security HQ (Photo: KCTV screenshot grab).

KJU has used the limousine buses  at missile tests.   This is probably the first event outside those linked to the defense industry where he used this type of motorcade.    The difference is that the 5 January took place in daytime in a slightly public area; missile testing happens at restricted facilities.   This raises question, is this how KJU gets around in every day life away from his residences?  While not entirely unobtrusive, particularly in the North, it is more inconspicuous on the ground or from a satellite than a row of cars or the train.

What appear to be close security guards run into position after KJU arrives at the construction site (Photo: KCTV screenshot).

Bodyguards

The 5 January visit had a bare minimum number of bodyguards.  When KJU arrived at the construction site, at least three close escort personnel ran in formation to position, sort of blending in with other KPA personnel.  In recent years, we have seen officers of the Central Committee Guard Department (CCGD) escort KJU at events, often holding ballistic briefcases. None were present at the event.

Various overviews and photo backgrounds of the event show no additional security perimeters around KJU.  KJU usually works behind several security perimeters at these events, with two perimeters (inner protective perimeter of bodyguards and an outer protective perimeter) observable in state media.   In cases where the outer perimeter has not been present, CCGD bodyguards were.

Outer perimeter (blue box) and a CCGD bodyguard (background right)
No outer perimeter is visible, but CCGD personnel form a perimeter around KJU and event participants (Photo: KCNA).

It is entirely probable that the construction unit tasked on the museum’s construction are from Guard Command (GC) construction brigades.   This is a significant construction project, and the It appears that senior GC leadership may have been present.

KJU may not have required a close security escort because the relevant personnel were event participants.

Location

The museum is under construction in Hwasong District (Hwasong-kuyo’k).   A significant security detail may have been unnecessary.   The museum construction site lies about a half mile from the outer gate of the #55 VIP Compound and one to two miles, in either direction from GC, Guard Department (GD) and Pyongyang Defense Command (PDC) mobile assets that could deploy in a contingency.    Despite a low-level security presence at the event, given its proximity to elite guard units, KJU was probably safer in Hwasong than he’d be in KIS Square.

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