Leadership Shake-Up in North Korea's Military

In a significant military reshuffle, North Korea has replaced its defense minister, as reported by state media on Sunday. This change was part of a broader 'structural reorganization' led by Kim Jong Un during a meeting on Saturday.

No Kwang Chol, the ousted defense minister, has been demoted to the position of first vice director of the Munitions Industry Department. In his stead, Kim Song Gi, previously the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, has been appointed as the new defense minister.

Additionally, defense adviser Pak Jong Chon has stepped into the role of vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and joined the ruling party’s Political Bureau. This leadership transition follows recent tensions, exacerbated by joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States, which North Korea condemned as provocative.

Source: www.japantimes.co.jp