North Korea has replaced Defense Minister No Kwang-chol with Kim Song-gi in a senior military reshuffle led by Kim Jong-un, amid a broader push to modernize the country's armed forces.
Kim Jong Un's comments came during North Korea's five-yearly party congress in Pyongyang
The leadership change comes as North Korean leader Kim
Jong-un continues to emphasize military modernization, stronger defense
capabilities and tighter control over the country's armed forces. The reshuffle
was decided during the second meeting of the ninth Workers' Party of Korea
Central Military Commission, which was held on Saturday under Kim Jong-un's
guidance.
Kim Song-gi is a senior North Korean military official who had been serving as
director of the Korean People's Army's General Political Bureau. His new
appointment puts him at the center of North Korea's defense establishment at a
time when Pyongyang is placing increasing emphasis on advanced weapons
development and military modernization.
North Korean state media has also highlighted Kim Jong-un's
recent meetings with scientists, researchers and officials involved in
defense-related research. During those meetings, Kim praised developments in
new combat weapon systems and called for further strengthening of the country's
military capabilities.
The timing of Kim Song-gi's promotion therefore places the
new defense minister in an important position as North Korea seeks to improve
what it describes as the modernization of its armed forces.
No Kwang-chol has not simply retired from public service.
According to the report, he was removed as defense minister and from the
Party's central leadership but was appointed first vice-director of the
Munitions Industry Department of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee.
The reassignment means No will remain involved in a
strategically important area of North Korea's state apparatus. The Munitions
Industry Department is closely connected with the country's defense-production
system, making his new position significant despite his departure from the
defense ministry.
North Korea has previously moved senior officials between
military, party and weapons-production positions, making personnel changes
difficult to interpret solely as promotions or demotions. The latest move could
therefore reflect an adjustment in responsibilities rather than a complete
political fall from favor.