North Korean state media reported that the country has dismissed Pak Jong Chon, the second most powerful military official after leader Kim Jong Un. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced on Sunday that Pak, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party and Secretary of the Party's Central Committee, was removed and replaced by Ri Yong Gil during the annual committee meeting last week. The agency did not provide a reason for the dismissal.
Pyongyang has a history of changing its leaders, and the year-end party gathering is often an opportunity to announce position adjustments and other key political decisions. Television footage showed Pak sitting in the front row with his head down during the meeting, while other members raised their hands to vote on various issues. His seat later appeared empty.
The Central Military Commission of the party, headed by Kim, is the most powerful military decision-making body in the country, possessing authority beyond that of the Ministry of Defense. Pak rose quickly through military ranks from a one-star artillery commander in 2015 to a four-star general in 2020, thanks to his contributions to North Korea's advancements in short-range missile technology. He was promoted to the rank of Marshal in late 2020, the highest military rank under leader Kim, and became a staunch opponent of the joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States in November of last year.
