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World / Asia

North Korea defence minister dismissed: state media

Published: 30 Aug 2026 - 10:47 am | Last Updated: 30 Aug 2026 - 10:49 am
File photo

File photo

AFP

Seoul: North Korea's defence minister has been dismissed as part of a reshuffle of the country's military leadership, state media reported Sunday.

The "structural reorganization plans" were decided during a meeting on Saturday led by Kim Jong Un, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

No Kwang Chol was not only dismissed as defence minister but also demoted in the ruling party leadership to "first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department," KCNA said.

Kim Song Gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, was named as the new defence minister.

Another senior official, defence advisor Pak Jong Chon, was given the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and named to the ruling party's Political Bureau.

Several other promotions were also announced.

The leadership shuffle comes shortly after joint annual drills between South Korea and the United States wrapped up.