KIM REPLACES DEFENCE MINISTER IN MAJOR MILITARY SHAKE-UP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has dismissed Defence Minister No Kwang-chol and appointed Kim Song-gi as his replacement. The decision was made during the second meeting of the ninth Central Military Commission on Saturday, 29 August.
No Kwang-chol was not just removed from his post but also demoted within the ruling Workers’ Party, taking a lower-ranking role as first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department.
The reshuffle also brought back veteran military official Pak Jong-chon. He was appointed vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and re-elected to the Party’s Central Committee and Politburo. Pak had stepped down from these posts in February, sparking speculation about his age.
The changes come as North Korea continues to modernise its military. During the same period, Kim Jong-un praised scientists for developing new combat weapon systems, calling their work a great revolution.
The reshuffle follows annual US-South Korea military drills that Pyongyang condemns as rehearsals for invasion. Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim again, but Pyongyang has shown little interest.
Kim is celebrating weapons breakthroughs while swapping his defence minister. What is he preparing for. And with Pak Jong-chon back, is North Korea gearing up for war or just sending a message.