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North Korea has dismissed Defense Minister No Kwang Chol and appointed Kim Song Gi as his replacement as part of a broader reorganization of the country’s military leadership, state media reported Sunday.
The changes were decided during a meeting Saturday led by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
No was also demoted within the ruling party leadership to first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department.
Kim Song Gi, who had served as director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, was named the new defense minister.
Senior defense official Pak Jong Chon was appointed vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and named to the ruling party’s Political Bureau. KCNA also announced several other promotions.
In a separate report, KCNA said Kim honored scientists, researchers and officials for advances in defense technology during a ceremony Saturday.
The recipients were credited with helping resolve scientific and technological challenges considered important to the development of new combat weapon systems.
KCNA did not identify the specific systems involved but said the country’s weapons research center had recently developed “exclusive technologies” that represented an important step in strengthening its war-fighting capabilities.
A photograph released by KCNA showed Kim personally presenting a medal to one of the recipients.
In late June, Kim oversaw tests of a new extended-range multiple rocket launcher and artillery.
The leadership changes come shortly after annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. ended.
North Korea routinely condemns the drills as preparations for an invasion. This year’s exercises were closely watched after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered them shortened, calling them provocative toward Pyongyang.
Trump has also praised Kim, whom he met twice during his first presidential term, and has signaled interest in another meeting, potentially this year.
North Korea, however, has continued missile launches and criticized both the reduced drills and Washington’s approval of arms sales to South Korea. Pyongyang has also condemned U.S. plans to fund programs documenting human rights abuses in the North.
Military cooperation among Washington and its regional allies is set to continue, with South Korea, the U.S. and Japan scheduled to hold the Freedom Edge exercise from Sept. 7 to 11 in international waters east and south of South Korea’s Jeju Island.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff described Freedom Edge as an annual defensive exercise aimed at responding to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and safeguarding regional peace and stability.
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