Ri Pyong-chol reinstated as top North Korean official, report shows

Soldiers are seen marching in a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 25, in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). EPA-Yonhap

Ri Pyong-chol, known for his leading role in North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development under the Kim Jong-un regime, has returned to public view after a 10-month disappearance, Pyongyang's state media showed Tuesday.

He was known to have been dismissed from all posts in July last year after being accused of neglecting his official duties.

But he was among dignitaries participating in the nighttime military parade staged in central Pyongyang, Monday, to commemorate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It called him a "member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee."

Photos, released by the KCNA, showed Ri standing next to Kim during the event, together with Pak Jong-chon, the North's top military official.

Ri reportedly spearheaded the North's nuclear and missile development from the early months of Kim's rule that started in late 2011. He was even given the title of "marshal," the highest rank among the country's soldiers.

Delivering a speech at the parade, Kim stated his regime will bolster the nation's nuclear capabilities. (Yonhap)