North Korea demotes defence chief in military leadership reshuffle

Seoul, August 30 - In a military leadership reshuffle, North Korea's defence minister has been dismissed and demoted in the ruling party. The decision was made during a meeting led by Kim Jong Un, according to state media KCNA. No Kwang Chol, who held the position of defence minister, was not only removed from his post but also demoted to the "first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department."

The new defence minister is Kim Song Gi, the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army. Pak Jong Chon, a senior official, was appointed as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and added to the ruling party’s Political Bureau. KCNA also reported that Kim had honored scientists and officials at a ceremony on Saturday for their advancements in defence technology, awarding them top national honors for their contributions to developing new combat weapon systems.

The nuclear-armed state has recently developed exclusive technologies, which it claims signify a significant strengthening of its military and technological capabilities. The leadership move comes shortly after joint annual drills between South Korea and the United States concluded. These drills, which North Korea regularly denounces as preparations for an invasion, were closely observed this year after US President Donald Trump shortened them.

Trump and Kim, who met twice during Trump's first term, have not seen reciprocal goodwill from North Korea, who has continued to fire missiles and condemn US arms sales to South Korea. Despite the tensions, military cooperation among Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo is expected to continue, with trilateral joint exercises called Freedom Edge planned for September 7 to 11 in international waters off South Korea's Jeju Island.