SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has replaced its defense minister as leader Kim Jong-un oversees a broader reshuffle of senior military officials amid the country’s push to modernize its armed forces, state media reported Sunday.
Kim Song-gi, director of the Korean People’s Army’s General Political Bureau, will serve as the new defense minister, replacing No Kwang-chol, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea removed No from the defense minister post and the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s central leadership and appointed him first vice-director of the party’s Munitions Industry Department.
The leadership changes followed the second meeting of the ninth WPK Central Military Commission, which Kim Jong-un guided on Saturday, KCNA reported.
The reshuffle also returned veteran military official Pak Jong-chon to a senior position. Pak became vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission after the party re-elected him to its Central Committee and Politburo.
Pak had lost his Politburo and party secretary positions and the commission’s vice-chairmanship in February. His removal at the time prompted speculation that he was stepping back from senior military duties because of his age.
The vice-chairmanship carries a key role in shaping North Korea’s military policies. Kim Jong-un chairs the Central Military Commission.
KCNA said the commission discussed “structural reorganization plans” aimed at improving the country’s defense affairs.
The agency said the newly appointed military officials would follow the ruling party’s policies on building a strong military and carry out those policies with what it described as high levels of commitment and activity.
The personnel changes came as North Korea continued its military modernization efforts.
In a separate report, KCNA said Kim Jong-un met with scientists, researchers and officials from major defense research institutions and awarded state commendations to those involved in developing new weapons systems and improving existing military technology.
Kim praised the researchers for what KCNA described as recent advances in military science and technology and called on them to further strengthen the country’s military capabilities.
North Korea has continued developing weapons systems across its land, naval and space programs as Kim has called for advances in the country’s defense capabilities.