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Kim Yong-chun
Minister of People’s Armed Forces |
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
A local expert in inter-Korean affairs said Thursday North Korea's military shakeup a day earlier was seemingly aimed at preparing for the post-Kim Jong-il era.
Pyongyang announced that Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong-chun, 73, was appointed as minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission, equivalent to defense minister. The public announcement of a military reshuffle is considered unusual.
General Ri Yong-ho was promoted to chief of the Korean People's Army General Staff, equivalent to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Inter-Korean Relations Studies Program at the Sejong Institute, told The Korea Times that there was a need to convince the country that one of Kim Jong-il's sons was fully qualified to lead the army.
``The heir for North Korea has been substantially narrowed down to either the second son Jong-chul or the third, Jong-un, but they are too young to control the country,'' he said. ``Thus, a top, influential military official might be needed to persuade the people that a proper succession has been made.''
The new minister is known as an aide to the late Ko Yong-hi, Kim Jong-il's third wife and mother of Jong-un whom reports pointed to as one of the more likely heirs.
He reportedly contributed to the movement to idolize the late Ko in 2002, frequently showing his loyalty to her.
If the third son has been selected as the successor, the minister would be suitable to help transition, Cheong said.
North Korea's ``Dear Leader'' Kim was also able to soft land into the leadership with the help of then-Minister of the Armed Forces O Chin-u, he recalled.
The expert, however, downplayed the speculation that the military reshuffle is part of North Korea's tactic to heighten military tension between the two Koreas.
Last week, the secretive state threatened to scrap political and military pacts with Seoul and nullify a maritime border in the West Sea.
Cheong said the more interesting thing is that the North Korean leader publicly used a new title of chairman of the (North) Korean Workers' Party Military Affairs Committee for the first time.
So far, he was quoted as general secretary of the Workers' Party or chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
``Ahead of North Korea's parliamentary elections slated for March 8, the new title may hint at restructuring organizations or a further reshuffle in political organizations,'' Cheong said.
Pyongyang will celebrate the founding anniversary of the People's Army on April 25.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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