North Korea’s Kim Fires Top General, Calls for War Preparations

SEOUL, Aug 10 (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has replaced the army’s top general and called for more preparations against the possibility of war, a boost in weapons production and expansion of military exercises, the report said. Thursday the state media KCNA.

Kim made the comments at a meeting of the Central Military Commission that discussed plans for countermeasures to deter North Korea’s enemies, which he did not name, according to the report.

The country’s top general, Chief of Staff General Pak Su Il, has been “sacked,” KCNA reported, without elaborating. He had served in his capacity for about seven months.

Pak was replaced by General Ri Yong Gil, who previously served as the country’s defense minister as well as the top commander of its conventional troops.

Ri also previously served as the army’s chief of staff. When he was replaced in 2016, his dismissal and subsequent absence from official events prompted reports in South Korea that he had been executed. He reappeared a few months later when he was appointed to another high level position.

Kim also set a target for the expansion of weapons production capacity, according to the report, without elaborating. last week the visited arms factories where he called for more missile engines, artillery and other weapons to be built.

Photos released by KCNA showed Kim pointing out Seoul and the areas surrounding the South Korean capital on a map.

The United States has accused North Korea of ​​supplying Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells, rockets and missiles. Russia and North Korea have denied those claims.

Kim also called on the military to hold exercises using the country’s latest weapons and equipment to keep his forces combat-ready, according to the report.

North Korea is set to stage a militia parade on Sept. 9, marking the 75th anniversary of the Founding Day of the Republic. North Korea has a number of paramilitary groups that it uses to bolster its military forces.

The United States and South Korea are scheduled to hold military exercises between August 21 and 24, which North Korea considers a threat to its security.

Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Josh Smith in Seoul; Edited by Stephen Coates

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