High ranking officials attend the funeral of the country 's second - highest ranking military officer . In 2000 , Jo became the first North Korean military officer ever to enter the U.S. military . The high-ranking army official made history in 2000 when he became the first North Korean military officer ever to enter the U.S. Pentagon , later meeting then-President Bill Clinton . Jo 's appointment fuels controversy over leadership in North Korea as the ` ` old guard ' ages .
High ranking officials attend the funeral of the country 's second - highest ranking military officer . In 2000 , Jo became the first North Korean military officer ever to enter the U.S. military . Jo 's appointment fuels controversy over leadership in North Korea as the ` ` old guard ' ages .