North Korea has named a filmmaker as its new culture minister in what could be an attempt to take advantage of movies to further consolidate the power of its young leader Kim Jong-un.

Hong Kwang-sun, who served as director of a movie studio affiliated with the military, replaced An Dong-chun as the country's new culture minister.

Hong's appointment was confirmed Wednesday when he identified himself as culture minister in a contribution by him posted on the Internet edition of the North's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper.

North Korea's state media did not officially report the replacement.

In the article, Hong praised Kim for dedicating everything to bring happiness and prosperity to the communist country.

Yoo Dong-ryul, a senior research officer at the state-run Police Science Institute, said the appointment suggested that "North Korea will use movies to build a personality cult around Kim Jong-un."

Kim took over the communist country following the December death of his father, long-time leader Kim Jong-il. (Yonhap)