North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has fired the army chief of staff and called for a boost in war preparations, including an increase in weapons manufacturing and more military exercises, local media reported on Thursday.
The announcements were made on Wednesday during a meeting of the country’s Central Military Commission, the official North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Thursday.
The North Korean leader removed Chief of Staff Pak Su-il, replacing him with Deputy Marshal Ri Yong-gil, according to KCNA, which did not provide further details.
The North Korean leader addressed the generals and showed them maps, according to images released by state media, while speaking of the “big military actions” against South Korea.
Last week, Kim visited several arms factories for three days.
This military encounter came as Seoul and Washington prepare to hold their main annual joint military exercises, which will take place at the end of August.
Pyongyang sees all these military exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and has repeatedly warned that it will take “overwhelming” measures to respond to these joint exercises.
Kim urged “all munitions factories to continue the mass production of equipment and weapons,” adding that active conduct of actual military exercises is needed.
Source: TSF
