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North Korea appoints hardline general as armed forces minister North Korea appoints hardline general as armed forces minister
(about 3 hours later)
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has named a hardline general who is believed to have masterminded an attack on South Korea to the post of armed forces minister as part of a broad reshuffle of the military, South Korean officials have said. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has named a hardline general who is believed to have masterminded an attack on South Korea to the post of armed forces minister as part of a broad reshuffle of the military, Seoul has said.
Kim Kyok-sik's appointment marks a return to the top ranks of one of the world's biggest armies for a man previously pushed aside by a rival who has since been purged. Kim Kyok-sik's appointment marks a return to the top ranks of one of the world's biggest armies for a man previously pushed aside by a rival who has since been purged from the regime.
"The reshuffle is part of loyalty test by First Chairman Kim Jong-un," a South Korean government official said. A second South Korean official confirmed that Seoul believed a new minister had been appointed. There was no official announcement by Pyongyang. "The reshuffle is part of loyalty test by first chairman Kim Jong-un," a South Korean government official said. A second South Korean official confirmed that Seoul believed a new minister had been appointed. There was no official announcement by Pyongyang.
Kim Kyok-sik commanded the North's 4th Army Corps that was responsible for the bombing of a South Korean island in 2010. Four people died in what was the first attack on a civilian area in the South since the 1950-53 Korean war. North and South Korea remain technically at war as an armistice rather than a peace treaty ended the conflict.Kim Kyok-sik commanded the North's 4th Army Corps that was responsible for the bombing of a South Korean island in 2010. Four people died in what was the first attack on a civilian area in the South since the 1950-53 Korean war. North and South Korea remain technically at war as an armistice rather than a peace treaty ended the conflict.
Kim's military career also included working as a liaison officer with Syria, one of a few allies of the North, according to North Korea Leadership Watch, a website that specialises in tracking personnel there. Syria and North Korea have close military ties, and a Syria-bound ship carrying North Korean cargo that could be used to make missiles was stopped in May. UN sanctions banning arms trade with North Korea and were imposed after the isolated state's missile and nuclear tests in 2009. Kim's military career also included working as a liaison officer with Syria, one of the North's few allies, according to North Korea Leadership Watch, a website that specialises in tracking personnel there.
Damascus and Pyongyang have close military ties, and a Syria-bound ship carrying North Korean cargo that could be used to make missiles was stopped in May. UN sanctions banning any arms trade with North Korea were imposed after the isolated state's missile and nuclear tests in 2009.
The second South Korean official said Kim Kyok-sik's appointment was the latest move in a military reshuffle that began with the purge of one of the highest ranking army men, Ri Yong-ho. "It could be the most significant move after Ri's dismissal to strengthen his [Kim Jong-un's] grip on the military," the official said.The second South Korean official said Kim Kyok-sik's appointment was the latest move in a military reshuffle that began with the purge of one of the highest ranking army men, Ri Yong-ho. "It could be the most significant move after Ri's dismissal to strengthen his [Kim Jong-un's] grip on the military," the official said.
The post of the minister of armed forces is considered subordinate to the army chief of general staff and its head of the political department. But the officials said the appointment was indication of a top army general being rewarded for loyalty to the new leader as Kim Jong-un tries to cement power after taking over from his father, Kim Jong-il, who died last year.The post of the minister of armed forces is considered subordinate to the army chief of general staff and its head of the political department. But the officials said the appointment was indication of a top army general being rewarded for loyalty to the new leader as Kim Jong-un tries to cement power after taking over from his father, Kim Jong-il, who died last year.