North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has replaced the army’s top general and called for more weapons production, expanded military drills and preparations for a possible war, North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency reported.
Kim made the remarks at a meeting of the Central Military Commission, where countermeasures to deter North Korea’s enemies were discussed, but did not name them, KCNA reported on Thursday.
North Korea appears to be “focusing on demonstrating its military might,” Yonhap news agency said on Thursday.
Pak Soo-il, North Korea’s top general and chief of the general staff, was also “dismissed,” according to KCNA, without elaborating. He has held the role for about seven months.
Park Soo-il was replaced by Deputy Marshal Lee Yong-gil, who previously served as the country’s former defense minister and supreme commander of the conventional forces. Li Yongji also previously served as the army chief of staff.
Kim Jong-un shows Russian defense minister banned missiles (Al Jazeera)
After Ri Yong Gil was replaced in 2016, his dismissal and subsequent absence from official North Korean events sparked speculation in South Korea that he had been executed. A few months later, Lee Yong-gil reappeared and was appointed to another senior position.
The KCNA said Wednesday’s meeting between Kim Jong-un and the Central Military Commission was on the agenda of “comprehensive preparations for war,” including “ensuring stronger means of strike” to ensure “perfect war preparations.”
According to the report, Kim Jong-un called on “all arms industry enterprises to promote the mass production of various weapons and equipment.”
The report added, “He also asked to actively carry out actual combat exercises to efficiently use the latest weapons and equipment newly deployed.”
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un has set a goal of expanding the country’s arms production capacity. The report provided no details.
The call for increased arms production comes as the U.S. suspects North Korea is supplying weapons, including shells, rockets and missiles, for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied the claims.
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un meets Russian defense minister
Last week, Kim Jong-un visited weapons factories and demanded that more missile engines, artillery and other weapons be built.
North Korea also held a major defense expo to coincide with last month’s massive military parade. During that time, Kim led visiting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on a tour of the country’s latest and most advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles and spy drones.
North Korea is scheduled to hold a militia military parade on September 9 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country.
The U.S. and South Korea are scheduled to hold their next military drill on Aug. 21-24. North Korea claims such exercises pose a threat to its security and are a preparation for a future invasion of North Korea.
North Korea’s Kim shows off banned missiles to Russia’s Shoigu
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2023-08-10 08:49:16
