North Korea's state media reported on Sunday that changes had been made to the country's military leadership, including the dismissal of Defense Minister No Kwang-chol.
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The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said decisions on "structural reorganization" were made during a meeting chaired by leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday.
The agency added that No Kwang-chol was not only removed from his post as defense minister, but was also demoted in the ruling party's leadership, becoming "first deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department."
Kim Jong-gyu, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, was appointed as the new defense minister.
Defense advisor Pak Jong-chon was also appointed vice chairman of the ruling party's Central Military Commission and a member of the party's Political Bureau, alongside a series of other promotions.
In a separate report, KCNA said Kim praised scientists, researchers, and officials at a ceremony held Saturday in recognition of their achievements in defense technology, awarding them the country's highest national honors.
It added that those honored had made significant contributions to "solving scientific and technical problems of historic importance in the development of new combat weapons systems," without specifying further. A photo released by the agency showed Kim pinning a medal on one of the honorees.
The agency went on to say that the state's weapons research center had "recently developed exclusive technologies representing a landmark achievement in strengthening war-fighting capability," again without elaborating.
It said these technologies demonstrated "the unique path of development of the country's military and technological capabilities."
In late June, Kim oversaw tests of a new multiple long-range rocket launch system.
Trilateral Exercises
The North Korean military leadership reshuffle comes shortly after the conclusion of joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.
These exercises, which Pyongyang regularly denounces as a rehearsal for invasion, drew close scrutiny this year after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a scaling back of America's participation in them.
Trump criticized the drills, calling them provocative toward North Korea, and took aim at Seoul for not supporting his war against Iran.
The U.S. president has also praised North Korean leader Kim, whom he met twice during his first term, and has said he is looking to hold a new meeting with him.
Despite Trump's friendly overtures, North Korea has not responded to them or shown any sign of reciprocation — instead continuing missile launches and denouncing the military exercises even after their scope was reduced.
Pyongyang has also sharply criticized Washington over its approval of arms deals with South Korea and its plans to fund programs documenting human rights abuses in the North.
Meanwhile, military cooperation between Washington and its regional allies is set to continue, with South Korea, the United States, and Japan planning a joint trilateral exercise called "Freedom Edge" in waters east and south of South Korea's Jeju Island, from September 7 to 11.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Friday that "these exercises are an annual defensive training conducted by the three countries to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats and to maintain peace and stability in the region."
