Why Was North Korea’s Defence Minister No Kwang Chol Dismissed?
North Korea's Defence Minister No Kwang Chol was dismissed on Saturday as part of a sweeping military reshuffle ordered by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, as tensions continue to build across the Indo-Pacific region.
North Korea's Defence Minister No Kwang Chol was dismissed on Saturday as part of a sweeping military reshuffle ordered by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, as tensions continue to build across the Indo-Pacific region. According to state news agency KCNA, the dismissal was carried out under "structural reorganisation plans" decided at a Saturday meeting led by Kim himself, and it came alongside a string of other high-level personnel changes within North Korea's military and party leadership.
No Kwang Chol was not simply removed from his post. He was also demoted within the ruling party, being reassigned as "first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department," a significant step down from his previous role overseeing national defence.
Who Has Replaced Him
Kim Song Gi, who previously served as director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, has been named as the country's new defence minister. 'North Korea Will Keep Nuclear Weapons': Kim Jong-un's Sister Kim Yo-jong Draws Red Line, Rejects Denuclearisation Efforts.
In another key move, defence adviser Pak Jong Chon was promoted to vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and also inducted into the ruling party's political bureau. KCNA reported that several other officials received promotions as part of the broader restructuring, though it did not name all of them individually.
Kim Jong Un Honours Defence Scientists
In a separate development on the same day, Kim held a ceremony to honour the country's scientists, researchers and defence officials, praising their work on advanced weapons systems. KCNA said the honourees had contributed to "resolving scientific and technological problems of epochal significance in developing new combat weapon systems," though the report did not specify which system was involved.
The recognition follows tests overseen by Kim in late June of a new extended-range multiple rocket launcher and artillery system, part of Pyongyang's ongoing push to modernise its military hardware. When Will Donald Trump Meet Kim Jong Un? US President Says He Will Meet North Korea Leader This Year (Video).
Why the Timing Matters
The reshuffle comes just after the conclusion of joint annual military drills between South Korea and the United States, exercises Pyongyang routinely denounces as rehearsals for invasion. This year's drills drew extra scrutiny after US President Donald Trump ordered them scaled back, criticising them as a provocation toward North Korea and rebuking Seoul for not backing Washington's confrontation with Iran. Trump had directed the Pentagon to reduce the frequency of joint exercises with South Korea.
Trump has also spoken favourably of Kim, whom he met twice during his first term, and has signalled interest in a fresh summit, possibly this year. North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for reciprocating, continuing missile launches and criticising the reduced drills. Pyongyang has also condemned Washington's approval of new arms sales to South Korea and US plans to fund programmes documenting human rights abuses in the North.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2026 07:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
