North Korea's Kim Jong-un Promoted To Top Military Rank

RIA Novosti

09:34 18/07/2012

MOSCOW, July 18 (RIA Novosti) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was awarded the title of marshal of the Korean People's Army, a top military rank in the reclusive state, North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday.

“A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK to Kim Jong-un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army,” KCNA said.

The appointment follows recent reshuffles in North Korean army in which the country's military chief, Ri Yong Ho, a close ally of Kim Jong-un, was relieved of all his posts on Monday because of illness. A day after Ri’s removal, a little-known general Hyon Yong-Chol replaced him.

Kim Jong-un, who inherited the post from his late father Kim Jong-il, seems to carry out massive military reforms and cement his power through the army, South Korean News-1 TV channel reported on Wednesday quoting a professor from the Inje University as saying.

The young leader, who is believed to be in his late 20s, came to power in December 2011 after this father Kim Jong-il died.