Kim Yong Bok

Kim Yong Bok (, born 27 July 1957) is a North Korean colonel general in command of Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces, and a member of the seventh and eighth Central Committees of the Workers' Party of Korea. He is currently known as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army and is closely affiliated with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, having appeared alongside him at multiple military and ceremonial events. He commands key special forces units, including the XI Corps, also known as the "Storm Corps" ,

Career Military career Not much is known on Kim Yong Bok's background and career. According to the South Korean government's database of North Korean elites, which contains information on more than 680 officials based on intelligence and publicly available information, only his name and position are listed. His age, place of birth, and other biographical details are unknown. It is unusual for senior North Korean military officials, about whom more information is usually available under South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). However, the United States's Office of Foreign Assets Control has suggested a birth date of 27 July 1957. Also, he was appointed as the commander of the Special Operations Forces from the commander of the XI Corps during the commemoration of the 105th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birthday, having previously mentioned by Korean Central Television at the same event. The Special Forces unit under his command is considered one of the largest in the world, with about an estimated 200,000 personnel according to The Wall Street Journal.

Russo-Ukrainian war On 29 October 2024, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that Kim Yong Bok was leading an advance unit of North Korean troops stationed in Russia, reportedly moving toward the front lines. According to the NIS, this deployment is believed to be connected with North Korea's involvement in the ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine, specifically related to missile cooperation involving the Hwasong-11A, a North Korean short-range ballistic missile modeled on Russia's Iskander system. The intelligence suggested that Kim's unit might be deployed near Kursk. While the South Korean military remained cautious about the size and operational role of the contingent, Kim Yong Bok was described as leading what appeared to be a forward deployment or reconnaissance party. The troops under his command were mostly in their early 20s, with some reportedly still in their late teens, according to the NIS. Despite their youth, they had completed basic combat training and were assessed as possessing significant combat capability.

On 17 December 2024, the South Korean government imposed independent sanctions on Kim Yong Bok, along with fellow generals Sin Kum-chol and Ri Song-jin, for their involvement in North Korea's military cooperation with Russia during the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs designated these individuals, among 11 people and 15 entities, as targets for unilateral sanctions due to violations of multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and their roles in supporting North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. These measures followed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, Japan, and allied countries condemning the arms trade and strategic alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow. Under the sanctions, any financial or foreign exchange transactions involving him now require prior approval from the Financial Services Commission or Bank of Korea, with violations subject to legal penalties under South Korean law. The United Kingdom also set sanctions on Kim as one of the 107 sanctions list against companies and individuals involved in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

On 9 May 2025, during Russia's that year's Victory Day celebrations, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with a delegation of North Korean military officials in Moscow's Red Square. Leading the delegation was Colonel General Kim Yong Bok who was the first to greet the president. During the ceremony, Putin shook hands with Kim Yong Bok and remarked, "Thank you very much to all your fighters, your heroes. Best wishes." In response, Kim conveyed his congratulations on the Victory Day celebrations. This response was then followed by an open embrace by Putin. Other delegations include, , head of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, and Sin Kum Chol, director of the General Staff's Operations Bureau. These officials are under sanctions by South Korea, the United States, and the European Union for their roles in North Korea's military cooperation with Russia.

Political career In 2016, Kim Yong Bok was elected to the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He was re-elected to the 8th Central Committee in 2021.

In February 2026, Kim was elected to 9th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea as a full member.