North Korea defence minister dismissed: State media

North Korea's defence minister, No Kwang Chol, has been dismissed and demoted in the ruling party leadership to first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department. According to state media, KCNA, his replacement is Kim Song Gi, who previously served as director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army.

The reshuffle was decided during a meeting led by leader Kim Jong-un. Another senior official, Pak Jong Chon, was given the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and named to the ruling party's Political Bureau.

KCNA also reported that Kim Jong-un lauded scientists, researchers, and officials at a ceremony for their advances in defence technology, giving them top national honours. The changes come after recent military tests and joint annual drills between South Korea and the United States.

Brief written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia, The Korea Times, New Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today, KahawaTungu — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.