hankyoreh

new North Korean Armed Forces Minister

By Kang Tae-ho, senior staff writer and Kim Kyu-won, staff reporter

North Korea has made a surprise move to replace North Korean Armed Forces Minister Kim Kyok Sik with Jang Jong Nam, the second time that the position has been changed within one year. The move suggests that a generational change is still underway in the North Korean military.

On May 13, the state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) carried a story about leader Kim Jong-un attending a performance by a military ensemble. As part of this story, the KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un was accompanied by Armed Forces Minister Jang Jong Nam, among others.

The story did not mention when the new armed forces minister had been appointed. On May 4, Kim Kyok Sik had joined Kim Jong-un at a commemorative concert for Workers’ Day.

Jang Jong Nam, the new minister, was promoted to brigadier general in Apr. 2002 and to major general in Nov. 2011. Until recently, Jang was the commander of the 1st Corps of the North Korean army, where he was responsible for guarding the front lines in Gangwon Province.

In Dec. 2012, Korean Central Television (KCTV) ran footage of Jang making a speech at the joint assembly of the North Korean ground, naval, and air forces, which brought him to the attention of the outside world. As Jang is in his late 50s or early 60s, he is part of the youngest contingent of leading figures in North Korea.

Since the former minister was 75-years-old and one of the most senior members of the military, the appointment of the younger Jang is significant as part of a transfer of power from the older to the younger generation.

The top brass in the North Korean army is mostly made up of men in their 60s, and with the resignation of Kim Kyok Shik, the 70s generation has been almost entirely supplanted.

At the same time, the replacement also appears to signify a move in favor of military leaders with field experience. Jang was formerly the commander of the 1st Corps. Hyon Yong-chol, who was chosen to be Chief of the General Staff in Jul. 2012, had headed up the 8th Corps, while Ri Yong-kil, Director General of operations for the General Staff was in charge of the 5th Corps.

“Kim Jong-un’s decision to break the mold and select comparatively young generals with field experience seems to be an attempt to boost the morale of the younger faction in the army and to secure their loyalty,” said Yang Mu-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies. “At the same time, it also appears to indicate that he wants to use the North Korean Ministry of People’s Armed Forces to more easily mobilize the army for economic development.”

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