North Korea replaced its defense minister in a senior military reshuffle as part of its military modernization drive and tighter discipline. Kim Song-gi was appointed defense minister, replacing No Kwang-chol, while Pak Jong-chon was named vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission. The reshuffle was decided at the second meeting of the ninth WPK Central Military Commission, guided by Kim Jong-un. KCNA also said Kim met defense research scientists and praised their work on new combat weapon systems.
This file photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, shows Kim Song-gi, left, wearing the rank insignia of a general at a joint party, government and military meeting in Pyongyang on July 10. In the photo at right, Kim is seen wearing the rank insignia of a senior general at the first enlarged meeting of the ninth Central Military Commission the previous day. Yonhap
North Korea has replaced its defense minister in a reshuffle of senior military leadership, state media reported Sunday, as the country accelerates its military modernization push and tightens discipline within the ranks.
Kim Song-gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the North's Korean People's Army, was appointed as the country's new defense minister, replacing No Kwang-chol, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
