Politics & Governance
North Korea replaces defence minister in reshuffle
North Korea has dismissed defence minister No Kwang Chol and named Kim Song Gi to replace him as part of a military leadership reshuffle, state media reported Sunday.
The Korean Central News Agency said the changes were decided during a Saturday meeting led by Kim Jong Un. KCNA said No was also demoted in the ruling party leadership to first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department.
KCNA said Kim Song Gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, was appointed defence minister. It also said defence adviser Pak Jong Chon was made vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and named to the ruling party's Political Bureau. Several other promotions were announced.
In a separate report, KCNA said Kim had praised scientists, researchers and officials at a Saturday ceremony for advances in defence technology and had given them top national honours. KCNA said they contributed to resolving scientific and technological problems in developing new combat weapon systems, but did not specify the type of system.
The reshuffle came shortly after joint annual drills between South Korea and the United States ended. Pyongyang regularly denounces the drills as preparations for an invasion. The exercises were closely watched this year after US President Donald Trump ordered them shortened and criticised them as provocative towards North Korea.
Despite Trump's stated interest in another meeting with Kim, North Korea has shown little sign of reciprocating, firing missiles and condemning the scaled-down drills. Pyongyang has also criticised Washington's approval of arms sales to South Korea and plans to fund programmes documenting human rights abuses in North Korea.
Update
KCNA separately reported that Kim Jong Un honoured scientists, researchers and officials for advances in defence technology.
KCNA said the honorees contributed to developing new combat weapon systems, without specifying the type of system.
The source adds context that Kim oversaw tests of a new extended-range multiple rocket launcher and artillery in late June.
The source adds that North Korea has fired missiles and condemned scaled-down South Korea-US drills despite US overtures.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 22:53:06 UTC.
Update
Kim Song Gi was named as the new defence minister, according to KCNA.
No Kwang Chol was demoted to first vice-director of the ruling party's Munitions Industry Department, according to KCNA.
Pak Jong Chon was given posts as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a member of the ruling party's Political Bureau, according to KCNA.
Several other promotions were announced, according to KCNA.
The reshuffle followed recent South Korea-United States annual drills, which Pyongyang regularly denounces.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 22:18:08 UTC.
Update
KCNA identified the dismissed defence minister as No Kwang Chol.
KCNA said No was also removed from the ruling party leadership.
KCNA said the decision came during a Saturday meeting led by Kim Jong Un.
State media described the move as part of a reshuffle of North Korea's military leadership.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 21:38:15 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
KCNA did not specify what type of new combat weapon systems were involved in the defence technology honours.
The supplied information does not give a reason for No Kwang Chol's dismissal.
Source
AFP news report published on .