Kim Jong Un removes North Korea defense minister in military shake-up
Also new: No Kwang Chol was demoted in the ruling party, while Kim Song Gi was promoted to defense minister.
Kim Jong Un removed North Korea Defense Minister No Kwang Chol in a military leadership shake-up decided at a Saturday meeting, state news agency KCNA said. No Kwang Chol not only lost the ministerial post, but was also demoted to first deputy director of the ruling party's Munitions Industry Department. As his replacement, Kim appointed Kim Song Gi, who previously led the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army. Another senior official, Pak Jong Chon, was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and joined the Politburo. KCNA also reported that Kim honored scientists and researchers for advances in defense technology and the development of new combat weapons systems, without specifying the type.