Contact Us

North Korea names new defense minister

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overhauled the upper echelons of his armed forces, naming Kim Song-gi as the country’s new defense minister and reinstating veteran strategist Pak Jong-chon as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, state-run news agency KCNA reported Sunday.

Reuters WORLD
Published August 30,2026 03:13 PM
Subscribe

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un overhauled his senior ⁠military ⁠leadership, appointing Kim Song-gi as defense minister and restoring veteran ⁠strategist Pak Jong-chon as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, state media outlet KCNA reported on Sunday.

Kim Song-gi, previously ⁠the ⁠director of the military's political bureau, replaces No Kwang-chol, who was reassigned to a senior role within the powerful ⁠Munitions Industry Department.

The high-level reshuffle coincides with Kim Jong Un honoring defense scientists for advancing ⁠the ‌country's ‌combat weaponry at a ⁠time when ‌Pyongyang has moved closer to ⁠Moscow amid Russia's ⁠war with ⁠Ukraine.