Recent news on the topic of purges within the Pyongyang regime has been a source of intrigue and speculation among North Korea watchers: from generals to uncles, it seems almost no official is guaranteed job security under Kim Jong Un’s reign.

But there is one critically important individual from the Kim Jong Il administration who appears to have Kim Jong Un’s back: his number one personal bodyguard.

Little is known about the mysterious man who had been photographed numerous times accompanying Kim Jong Il during his trips to China. Recently, however, he has appeared with Kim Jong Un, appearing to provide