North Korea replaces defense minister, party secretary

Pyongyang [North Korea], January 2: North Korea has just conducted a high-level personnel reshuffle, including replacing the positions of secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and defense minister.
Accordingly, Pak Jong-chon resigned from the posts of secretary and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announcing the results of the plenary session on January 1. party importance.
It is not clear why Mr. Pak resigned. Previously, he was promoted to marshal in October 2022, after holding the rank of 4-star general since 2019.
In addition, former Defense Minister Ri Yong-gil was elected secretary of the party's central committee.
Mr. Kang Sun-nam was appointed as the new Defense Minister and Mr. Pak Su-il, the Minister of Social Security, was appointed the Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA), replacing Mr. Ri. Thae-sop. Mr. Ri was appointed as Minister of Public Security.
In another development, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that the country is in dialogue with the United States to conduct joint planning activities and exercises related to the US nuclear force, in order to counter the threat from North Korea. Tien.
In an interview with the ChosunIlbo newspaper on January 2, Yoon said that the US idea of ​​​​providing nuclear cover or extended deterrence to South Korea is not enough to reassure the Korean people.
The interview was published a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for an increase in nuclear weapons to counter threats posed by the United States and South Korea.
In order to better deal with the nuclear threat from North Korea, Seoul hopes to participate in the operation of the US nuclear force, according to President Yoon.
"Nuclear weapons belong to the United States, but planning, information sharing, exercises and training should be conducted jointly with South Korea. At that time, this will be a huge development compared to the concept of expanded deterrence," according to the South Korean president.
Regarding the possibility of attending the summit with the North Korean leader, President Yoon said that was not in doubt.
"But I think people are a bit bored of the summit meetings just to show off. We must start a dialogue on humanitarian issues and open the door to contact and dialogue between the two regions. We have to set the direction by having a certain amount of discussions on the agenda of the two countries," he said.
According to the South Korean president, while there is no reason to refuse the summit, such advance discussions must be conducted in order to lead to useful results from the summit, and share it with others. country as well as with neighboring countries.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper