On Thursday, August 10, several North Korean state media released the news that leader Kim Jong Un carried out a reorganization of the country’s military forces. Among the first changes implemented by the North Korean president, the dismissal of his main general identified as Pak Su II, who served as chief of the General Staff, stands out. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Vice Marshal Ri Yong Gil now holds the position of Pak Su II. Likewise, on Wednesday, August 9, other “principal commanders” were fired, transferred, or appointed during a meeting held by the Central Military Commission.
The nation of North Korea is known to regularly do a revamp of its military leadership. Some of the military leaders hold different positions for various periods of time and others disappear from public view. Ri Yong Gil, who ranks second in the military hierarchy, is a long-serving member of the North Korean military. According to Sejong Institute private think tank senior analyst Cheong Seong-chang, the military reorganization committed by Kim Jong Un could have been for various reasons and it was not for punishment. Cheong expressed that “Because of the frequency with which Kim Jong Un has promoted, demoted and dismissed senior military commanders in relation to their ability to perform functions, the dismissal of these generals and commanders may hold them accountable, but it is not appropriate to regard it as a punishment”.
Ewha Women’s University professor of international studies Eric Easley commented that “the North Korean leader with this military reorganization may simply be making sure that no one below him becomes too powerful.” It should be noted that other information provided by the North Korean state media that caused a strong impact was that Kim Jong Un would have told the Army that they “be prepared for war.”
In a report issued by the KCNA, the topic of military reorganization was not addressed in depth. However, the document emphasized the importance that the North Korean army must have to be as prepared for a war due to the serious political and military situation on the Korean peninsula. The report does not mention South Korea, nor its main ally, the United States. But reference is made to these nations indirectly, with phrases such as “the military movements of the main culprits of the deterioration of the situation were analyzed” on the peninsula.
In recent months North Korea has intensified its military rhetoric with which it is constantly threatening to shoot down reconnaissance planes belonging to the United States. Likewise, Kim Jong Un announced that he would retaliate for the arrival of a US nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine in South Korea. In addition, Pyongyang has shown its technological advances in relation to its ballistic missiles. Last month Kim Jong Un conducted a test involving a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The weapon is estimated to have a flight time capable of attacking the continental United States.
