N. Korea removes assembly vice chairman, amends construction, precious metal laws

North Korea's parliament convened a presidium meeting on Friday, during which it removed a vice chairman from the assembly and amended two key laws, according to state media. The Standing Committee of North Korea's 15th Supreme People's Assembly held its second plenary session on Thursday, chaired by Vice Chairman Kim Hyong-sik, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The meeting took the decision to recall one of the assembly's vice chairmen and a committee member, though the identities of those removed were not disclosed. The assembly consists of two vice chairmen, Kim and Ri Son-gwon, with Kim presiding over the meeting, suggesting that Ri may have been dismissed. Ri has played significant roles in the regime's inter-Korean and foreign affairs, having been appointed vice chairman of the SPA Standing Committee in March.

He previously served as chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, as foreign minister from 2020 to 2022, and as head of the United Front Department, which deals with relations with South Korea. Additionally, the committee approved amendments to the construction and precious metal management laws, although the specifics of these changes were not detailed in the report.