North Korean leader Kim Jong-un dismissed the military’s top general and called for more preparations for the possibility of war, a boost in weapons production, and expansion of military drills, state media reported on Thursday.
News agency KCNA said the chief of the general staff, Pak Su-il, had been replaced by General Ri Yong-gil but gave no further details. Ri is the defence minister, and it remained unclear if he would retain that role.
Kim’s moves emerged during a meeting of his party’s central military commission, and after he visited weapons factories where he called for more missile engines, artillery and other weapons to be built.
He also called for more military drills to efficiently operate the latest weapons and equipment in order to maintain a mobilised posture for combat at all times, the report said.
North Korea is set to stage a militia parade on 9 September, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the republic as the meeting discussed preparations for the event, according to the KCNA report.
North Korea has a large number of paramilitary groups it uses to bolster its military forces.
Last week, Kim visited several major North Korean arms factories, including facilities making engines for strategic cruise missiles, and called for increased weapons production, state media reported.
The visits came less than two weeks after Kim attended a major military parade with Russian and Chinese officials, showcasing North Korea’s newest weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and spy drones.
With Reuters
