IN THE LINE OF FIRE
Who are Kim Jong-un’s running bodyguards and did they attend the Trump-Kim summit?
PARANOID Kim Jong-un's "running" bodyguards were out in force ahead of his much-heralded weapons summit with Donald Trump.
The elite unit were pictured jogging alongside the despotic North Korean leader’s strecth limousine as it made its way to his fortified hotel.
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Kim arrived in Singapore on Sunday June 10, with a huge security presence including two decoy flights.
Armed police are guarding the St Regis Hotel on the island of Sentosa where he is staying with his aides.
The meeting will be the first time a sitting US President has met with a member of the Kim family.
Who are Kim Jong-un's 'running' bodyguards?
The high-profile security team form a ring around him with the protective perimeter giving a 360-degree view.
In advance of Kim are up to five bodyguards including the director of the Main Office of Adjutants.
Alongside him are between four to six bodyguards, with two to three on his right and left.
Bringing up the rear are normally an additional four to five highly-trained bodyguards.
They are among the only North Koreans permitted to carry loaded guns near the rogue state's leader.
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Do they have a particular set of skills?
Despite carrying firearms, the bodyguards main defence for Kim are their observational skills.
Their sole job is to "neutralise" threats to the Glorious Leader using any means at their disposal.
They are chosen from Korean People's Army (KPA) recruits doing their national service conscription.
Criteria for selection includes being approximately the same height as their leader.
They must have top level skills such as marksmanship and martial arts.
The bodyguards use a series of spoken passwords and code phrases to communicate in the field.
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Are the high-profile guards given special training?
The bodyguards running alongside Kim's limo are part something called Central Party Office #6.
Many are related to the Kim family, or to other elite North Korean families in Kim's social circle.
Once they are chosen they are subjected to an intensive training programme, reports the BBC.
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The ruthless bodyguards are trained in a manner similar to the KPA's Special Operations Forces.
This includes training in the use of handguns, evasion techniques and martial arts.
Trainees undergo physical endurance challenges, behavioural conditioning and physically rigorous drills.
Kim Jong-un's bodyguards are back as they run alongside the vehicle carrying the North Korean leader to the InterKorean Summit
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