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| North Korea names Hyon Yong-Chol as new army chief | North Korea names Hyon Yong-Chol as new army chief |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| North Korea has appointed Hyon Yong-Chol as the head of its army, according to the official KCNA news agency. | North Korea has appointed Hyon Yong-Chol as the head of its army, according to the official KCNA news agency. |
| Mr Hyon replaces Ri Yong Ho, whom North Korea media reported had been relieved of his responsibilities on Monday because of illness. | Mr Hyon replaces Ri Yong Ho, whom North Korea media reported had been relieved of his responsibilities on Monday because of illness. |
| The decision was made by top North Korean officials on Monday, KCNA said. | The decision was made by top North Korean officials on Monday, KCNA said. |
| Mr Ri's removal took many observers of North Korea by surprise, with widespread scepticism at the official explanation for the move. | Mr Ri's removal took many observers of North Korea by surprise, with widespread scepticism at the official explanation for the move. |
| He was seen as having a key role in the recent transition of power in the secretive communist state from the late Kim Jong-il to his son, Kim Jong-un. | |
| Some analysts have read the change in leadership of the military as part of a possible purge in order to cement Kim Jong-un's grip on the military. | |
| Mr Ri had also been vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and held top posts in the ruling Workers' Party. | Mr Ri had also been vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and held top posts in the ruling Workers' Party. |
| A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry told reporters that Mr Ri's departure was "very unusual". | |
| Mr Ri was made army chief three years ago under Kim Jong-il and appeared regularly at state occasions beside Mr Kim. | |
| He was widely thought to be a figure in the inner circle of the new leader and instrumental in helping him cement his position. | |
| The appointment of Mr Hyon will now be scrutinised for signs of the direction in which Kim Jong-un, seen as inexperienced, will take the country. |