A massive reorganization in the North Korean leadership is far from uncommon, although the details surrounding this restructuring are unknown. The final round follows a seven-day party conference in which Kim Jong Un said he wanted to produce more nuclear weapons to fend off the US and South Korea.
2022 has been a very “active nuclear” year for North Korea. More than 70 ballistic missiles were also launched as a show of force, in which Kim Jong Un made it clear that he did not want to take a step back with regard to the nuclear arsenal.
Who comes where?
In the reorganization, Defense Minister Ri Yong Gil was named the new deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea. In doing so, he succeeds Pak Jong Chon, reports the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
The necessary changes were also made to the Ministry of Defense. For example, Kang Sun Nam has been appointed as the new defense minister, thus succeeding Ri Yong Gil. Pak Su Il was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army General Staff.