This step is part of a broader restructuring of the country’s military leadership.
The decision on the “structural reform plans” was made during a meeting held on Saturday, chaired by Kim Jong Un, reported the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
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Minister No Kwang Chol was not only dismissed from his position as defense minister but also demoted within the ruling party leadership to the post of “Deputy Director of the Armaments Industry Department,” KCNA stated.
The new defense minister appointed is Kim Song Gyu, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army.
Another high-ranking official, defense advisor Pak Jong Chon, was given the position of deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission and was appointed to the ruling party’s Political Bureau.
Several other promotions were also reported.
The leadership reshuffle took place shortly after the annual joint South Korea-US military exercises concluded.
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These exercises, which Pyongyang regularly condemns as preparations for an invasion, were closely watched this year after US President Donald Trump ordered them to be scaled back.
Trump criticized the exercises as provocative to the North and criticized Seoul for not supporting his war against Iran.
The US president also praised the North Korean leader, whom he met twice during his first term.
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