Military revamp strengthens Kim in North Korea
Source: Agencies |
July 18, 2012, Wednesday
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NORTH Korea is reshuffling its most powerful institution: its million-man military. The government has dismissed the army chief-a key mentor to young leader Kim Jong Un-and promoted a little-known general to an important position.
Illness was the reason cited for army chief Ri Yong Ho's departure, but to some outside analysts it resembled a purge by Kim as he tries to shape the government he inherited seven months ago. The announcement yesterday of Hyon Yong Chol's promotion could further that goal; his is the fourth vice marshal appointment North Korea has made public since the death of Kim's father Kim Jong Il.
News of Hyon's promotion in the Korean People's Army followed the announcement on Monday that Ri, a vice marshal who had been chief of the General Staff of the army since 2009, was dismissed from his high-ranking posts in the military and the Workers' Party because of illness, according to state media. No details were provided about who might succeed Ri as army chief.
Ri had been at Kim Jong Un's side throughout his transition to leadership and after his father's death, and appeared healthy in a public appearance just days ago. Analysts were skeptical about the official explanation for his abrupt departure.
Ri, 69, won his major promotions at a September 2010 party conference but received none at another major conference in April, stirring speculation about his future.
Ri's departure comes as Kim Jong Un is making his mark in other ways. Last weekend, state TV showed him watching a concert and visiting a kindergarten in the company of a mysterious woman who carried herself much like a first lady. Her identity has not been revealed, but making her presence public was a big change from Kim Jong Il's era, when his companions were kept out of official media.
The dismissal of the top army official is a significant move in North Korea. Kim Jong Il elevated the army's role when he became leader after the 1994 death of father Kim Il Sung, the nation's founder.
Kim Jong Un has upheld his father's "songun" military-first policy, but in April he also began promoting younger officials to key military and party posts.
The robust and stocky Ri showed no sign of illness when he spoke in late April at a meeting of top officials marking the 80th anniversary of the army's founding. He was shown in photos on July 6 chatting with Pyongyang residents and two days later joined Kim Jong Un at the Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to Kim Il Sung.
Little is known about Hyon, the career officer newly named a vice marshal, which analysts say is one of the highest military ranks North Korea bestows. According to state media, Hyon was named a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, a top decision-making body, in September 2010.
Illness was the reason cited for army chief Ri Yong Ho's departure, but to some outside analysts it resembled a purge by Kim as he tries to shape the government he inherited seven months ago. The announcement yesterday of Hyon Yong Chol's promotion could further that goal; his is the fourth vice marshal appointment North Korea has made public since the death of Kim's father Kim Jong Il.
News of Hyon's promotion in the Korean People's Army followed the announcement on Monday that Ri, a vice marshal who had been chief of the General Staff of the army since 2009, was dismissed from his high-ranking posts in the military and the Workers' Party because of illness, according to state media. No details were provided about who might succeed Ri as army chief.
Ri had been at Kim Jong Un's side throughout his transition to leadership and after his father's death, and appeared healthy in a public appearance just days ago. Analysts were skeptical about the official explanation for his abrupt departure.
Ri, 69, won his major promotions at a September 2010 party conference but received none at another major conference in April, stirring speculation about his future.
Ri's departure comes as Kim Jong Un is making his mark in other ways. Last weekend, state TV showed him watching a concert and visiting a kindergarten in the company of a mysterious woman who carried herself much like a first lady. Her identity has not been revealed, but making her presence public was a big change from Kim Jong Il's era, when his companions were kept out of official media.
The dismissal of the top army official is a significant move in North Korea. Kim Jong Il elevated the army's role when he became leader after the 1994 death of father Kim Il Sung, the nation's founder.
Kim Jong Un has upheld his father's "songun" military-first policy, but in April he also began promoting younger officials to key military and party posts.
The robust and stocky Ri showed no sign of illness when he spoke in late April at a meeting of top officials marking the 80th anniversary of the army's founding. He was shown in photos on July 6 chatting with Pyongyang residents and two days later joined Kim Jong Un at the Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to Kim Il Sung.
Little is known about Hyon, the career officer newly named a vice marshal, which analysts say is one of the highest military ranks North Korea bestows. According to state media, Hyon was named a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, a top decision-making body, in September 2010.
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