Former N. Korean People`s Armed Forces minister demoted

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- Kim Il-chol, former minister of the People's Armed
Forces of North Korea, has been demoted to the post of the ministry's first vice
minister, according to the North's state media.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reshuffled the military ahead of
parliamentary elections to be held on March 8.
Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong-chun, 73, was appointed as the
minister of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defence Commission,
replacing Kim Il-chol. The position is thought to be equivalent to defense
minister.
Kim Il-chol's post was not known after the military reshuffle, but he was
referred to as first vice minister of the People's Armed Forces in a report by
the (North) Korean Central Broadcasting Station, covering a gathering held in
Pyongyang to celebrate Kim Jong-il's candidacy.
The North Korean leader will run in the 333rd military constituency at the
election to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, according to North Korea's media
reports.
He represented the 666th and 649th military electorates in 1998 and 2003,
respectively.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
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