Kim Jong Un removes defense minister in military shake-up
New: Kim Song Gi replaces No Kwang Chol, who was also demoted to the ruling party’s Munitions Industry Department.
Kim Jong Un removed North Korea's Defense Minister No Kwang Chol in a military leadership reshuffle decided at a Saturday meeting, state news agency KCNA reported. The post is now held by Kim Song Gi, who previously led the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army. No Kwang Chol not only lost the ministerial seat, but was also demoted to first deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. In the same reshuffle, defense adviser Pak Jong Chon was appointed vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and added to the Politburo. KCNA said the changes are part of a structural reorganization plan, without detailing any link to Pyongyang's nuclear or missile programs.