06 / 10
North Korea replaces defence minister
Kim placed a former army political chief in charge of defence and demoted his predecessor.
What happened
Kim Jong Un replaced North Korea’s defence minister, No Kwang-chol, with Kim Song-gi at a ruling-party Central Military Commission meeting. State media announced a military leadership restructuring, moved No to the Munitions Industry Department, restored Pak Jong-chon as commission vice chairman and made other senior personnel changes.
Numbers
- At least 10short-range missiles launched recently — South Korean assessment
- Two termsNo’s time as defence minister — 2016–19 and since 2024
- Two senior postsPak Jong-chon’s restored roles — Commission and Political Bureau
Questions
- Where was No reassigned?
- No became first deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department, after losing both the defence portfolio and his previous party rank there.
- Which other leader returned to command?
- Pak Jong-chon returned as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and joined the party’s Political Bureau after holding both posts previously.
- Why were defence scientists honoured?
- Kim also honoured scientists, researchers and officials from national defence research institutions for achievements linked to strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
- How does this fit military activity?
- The reshuffle follows continued weapons modernisation, after South Korea reported a recent launch of short-range ballistic missiles.
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The catch
State media gave no reason for No’s removal or details of the planned military restructuring.