by Joseph Yun Li-sun

After a month of continuous military provocations against Washington and Seoul, the regime led by the young Kim Jong-un orders the removal of the "hawk" Kyok-sik Kim, at the forefront during the sinking of the Cheonan and the attack on the island of Yeonpyeong. Replaced by a young semi-unknown.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - North Korea's youthful dictator has torpedoed the Minister of the Armed Forces, considered a "hawk", to make way for a field commander until now almost unknown. Analysts in the South claim the move aims to close the month of military provocations carried out against Seoul and Washington. The news was reported this morning by KCNA, the regime's official press agency.

Kim Jong-un, the heir of the deceased "dear leader" Kim Jong-il, this morning appointed Jang Jong-nam as Minister of the Armed Forces of the people. The new army chief is about 50 years old and was "crowned" during a celebration of song and dance, marking the national day for security forces in North Korea. The dictator was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces of the People depends on the National Defense Commission, the governing body that regulates the entire life of the country's military. In North Korea, the army is fundamental: there are about 2.3 million soldiers - the largest contingent on a global level- and according to the Juche Stalinist doctrine (designed by the father of Kim Il-sung) military self-sufficiency is the key to national survival.

Jang takes the place of Kyok-sik Kim, considered an interventionist and a hawk. According to several analysts he ordered the attack on the South Korean islet Yeonpyeong (Yellow Sea) in November 2010 and the sinking of the Cheonan, a Seoul ship sunk in April of the same year. During the attack 46 Southern sailors were killed.

A Seoul based analyst explains: "Jang is considered a member of the Army's 'young' faction o, and his appointment could be a signal. The leader of Pyongyang wants to modernize its ranks not only political but also military. Moreover, this change may have been decided to appease the international situation: in the place of an uncompromising general, a young man. "

The appointment could close the international crisis that began last March from Pyongyang, which first re-started its nuclear reactor and then moved some long-range missiles to the east coast of the country, from where they could attack South Korea, Japan and even US bases in the Pacific. Despite the rhetoric and threats, the situation has cooled without the need for military intervention.

 

 

• korea
• regime
• dicatator
• army
• kim
• young-un
• general
• appointment