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N Korea names new vice-marshal in military reshuffle | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
North Korea has appointed a new vice-marshal, Hyon Yong-chol, the official KCNA news agency says. | |
The move comes a day after the army chief, Ri Yong-ho, was removed from his post "due to illness". | |
The decision was made by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the National Defense Commission of North Korea, KCNA said. | |
The statement did not say if Mr Hyon was taking over the top military job from Mr Ri. | |
Little is know of Mr Hyon, who is reported to be a member of the party's 120-member central committee. He is now one of four vice-marshals in the army. | |
Mr Ri, who was also a vice-marshal, was vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and held top posts in the ruling Workers' Party. | |
Mr Hyon is believed to have been appointed a general in 2010 but is not currently part of the military commission chaired by young leader Kim Jong-un, reports said. | |
He appears to be the latest rising star in North Korean politics, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul, and analysts are waiting to see whether he will replace the 70-year-old Mr Ri as army chief. | |
'Unusual' move | |
Ri Yong-ho's removal took many North Korea observers by surprise, with widespread scepticism at the official explanation for the move. | |
He was seen as a key figure in the recent transition of power from Kim Jong-il, who died in December 2011, to his son. | |
He was made army chief three years ago under Kim Jong-il and appeared regularly at state occasions beside the late Mr Kim. | |
He was also one of seven top officials to accompany the younger Kim as he followed the hearse containing his father's body at his state funeral. | |
A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry told reporters that Mr Ri's departure was "very unusual". | A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry told reporters that Mr Ri's departure was "very unusual". |
Some analysts say ''illness'' is not an uncommon pretext in Pyongyang when a member of the elite leadership is removed. | |
Now in power for six months, Kim Jong-un is rumoured to be promoting a new generation of officials, and is being carefully watched for signs that he will take the country in a new direction, says our correspondent. | |