SEOUL — North Korea’s army chief has been removed from all his posts due to illness, state media announced July 16. Analysts said the move showed new leader Kim Jong-Un tightening his control over the powerful military.
Ri Yong-Ho is regarded as one of the key figures who supported the young, untested leader in the transition following the death in December of his father, Kim Jong-Il, who ruled the reclusive state for 17 years.
The regime's quick announcement on Ri, 69, was "very unusual," prompting Seoul to keep an eye on the North's next move, said Kim Hyung-Suk, spokesman for the South's unification ministry handling cross-border affairs.
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