{
  "id": 4305632,
  "title": "North Korea’s defence minister dismissed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/north-koreas-defence-minister-dismissed-4305632",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T23:05:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/30/north-korea-s-defence-minister-dismissed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "North Korea's defence minister, Kwang Chol, has been dismissed and demoted in the ruling party leadership, according to state media. The decision was made during a meeting led by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kim Song Gi, the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, has been appointed as the new defence minister. Additionally, Pak Jong Chon, a senior official, has been given the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and added to the ruling party's Political Bureau.\n\nOn Saturday, Kim Jong Un also honoured scientists, researchers, and officials at a ceremony, acknowledging their advancements in defence technology. These scientists and researchers were given top national honours for their contributions to developing new combat weapon systems. In late June, Kim oversaw tests of a new extended-range multiple rocket launcher and artillery.\n\nThe leadership reshuffle comes shortly after annual joint drills between South Korea and the US concluded. These drills, which Pyongyang views as invasion preparations, were closely watched this year due to US President Donald Trump's decision to shorten them. Trump had criticized the drills as provocative and South Korea for not supporting his war against Iran. Despite Trump's overtures and multiple meetings with Kim, North Korea has shown little interest in reciprocating. Pyongyang has continued to fire missiles and condemn US-approved arms sales to South Korea, as well as funding programmes that document human rights abuses in the North.",
  "summary": "The dismissal comes amid a military leadership reshuffle and as leader Kim Jong Un awards top national honours for advances in defence technology.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) N. Korea replaces defense minister with Kim Song-gi in military reshuffle: state media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/urgent-n-korea-replaces-defense-minister-with-kim-song-gi-in-military",
        "published": "2026-08-29T21:18:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "North Korea’s defense minister has been dismissed from his position",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/north-koreas-defense-minister-has-been-dismissed-from-his-position",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:03:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "North Korea’s defence minister dismissed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/north-koreas-defence-minister-dismissed",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:05:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "N. Korea defence minister dismissed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/n-korea-defence-minister-dismissed",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:08:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "N. Korea replaces defense minister with Kim Song-gi in military reshuffle: KCNA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/n-korea-replaces-defense-minister-with-kim-song-gi-in-military-4298288",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:22:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "North Korea defence minister dismissed: State media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/north-korea-defence-minister-dismissed-state-media",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:43:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "North Korea’s defence minister dismissed in reshuffle of military leadership",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/north-koreas-defence-minister-dismissed-in-reshuffle-of-military",
        "published": "2026-08-29T23:54:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}