ID :
45287
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/45287
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean leader visits artillery unit after major military shakeup
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited an
artillery unit, accompanied by newly promoted military chiefs, Pyongyang's media
said Thursday.
North Korea announced a military shakeup Wednesday evening, in which Kim named a
new minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission,
equivalent to South Korea's defense minister, and a new chief of the Korean
People's Army (KPA) General Staff, the counterpart to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of
Staff.
The shakeup came earlier than expected. Analysts in Seoul speculated that
Pyongyang may reshuffle its military after the country holds parliamentary
elections on March 8 and before the founding anniversary of the KPA on April 25.
It is also unusual for North Korea to officially announce a change of its
military leadership.
The Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday that Kim visited the 681st
artillery unit of the KPA and watched members of the unit take part in firing
practice. The leader was accompanied by the new defense minister, Kim Yong-chun,
and the new chief of the KPA General Staff, Ri Yong-ho, along with other
officials.
"The one-match-for-a-hundred artillerymen's exercise clearly showed the resolute
determination of the servicemen to crush the aggressors at a single blow when
they dare intrude into the DPRK even 0.001mm and their merciless striking
capability," the English-language report said. DPRK is North Korea's official
name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Military tension along the inter-Korean border has risen sharply in recent weeks,
with North Korea threatening military clashes and declaring a 1991 non-aggression
accord void. Intelligence sources say North Korea appears to be preparing to
test-launch a long-range missile.
Analysts say such coercive moves by Pyongyang are part of its diplomatic strategy
to pressure Seoul into dropping its hard-line policy while drawing the attention
of the new U.S. government.
Baek Seung-joo, a North Korea specialist with the state-run Korea Institute for
Defense Analyses, said the military shakeup could be a preparation for the
post-Kim Jong-il era.
"The North could be sorting out its power elite. It could also be part of
preparations for the post-Kim Jong-il era," Baek said.
Kim turns 67 on Tuesday, and speculation has mounted over whom he will name as
his successor, with many anticipating it will likely be one of his three sons.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
artillery unit, accompanied by newly promoted military chiefs, Pyongyang's media
said Thursday.
North Korea announced a military shakeup Wednesday evening, in which Kim named a
new minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defense Commission,
equivalent to South Korea's defense minister, and a new chief of the Korean
People's Army (KPA) General Staff, the counterpart to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of
Staff.
The shakeup came earlier than expected. Analysts in Seoul speculated that
Pyongyang may reshuffle its military after the country holds parliamentary
elections on March 8 and before the founding anniversary of the KPA on April 25.
It is also unusual for North Korea to officially announce a change of its
military leadership.
The Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday that Kim visited the 681st
artillery unit of the KPA and watched members of the unit take part in firing
practice. The leader was accompanied by the new defense minister, Kim Yong-chun,
and the new chief of the KPA General Staff, Ri Yong-ho, along with other
officials.
"The one-match-for-a-hundred artillerymen's exercise clearly showed the resolute
determination of the servicemen to crush the aggressors at a single blow when
they dare intrude into the DPRK even 0.001mm and their merciless striking
capability," the English-language report said. DPRK is North Korea's official
name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Military tension along the inter-Korean border has risen sharply in recent weeks,
with North Korea threatening military clashes and declaring a 1991 non-aggression
accord void. Intelligence sources say North Korea appears to be preparing to
test-launch a long-range missile.
Analysts say such coercive moves by Pyongyang are part of its diplomatic strategy
to pressure Seoul into dropping its hard-line policy while drawing the attention
of the new U.S. government.
Baek Seung-joo, a North Korea specialist with the state-run Korea Institute for
Defense Analyses, said the military shakeup could be a preparation for the
post-Kim Jong-il era.
"The North could be sorting out its power elite. It could also be part of
preparations for the post-Kim Jong-il era," Baek said.
Kim turns 67 on Tuesday, and speculation has mounted over whom he will name as
his successor, with many anticipating it will likely be one of his three sons.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
