Kim Jong Un fires top military brass, orders troops to prepare for ‘offensive’ war – By Thomas Maresca (UPI) / Aug 10, 2023
SEOUL, Aug. 10 (UPI) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sacked his top general while calling for the military to boost weapons production and increase combat drills in preparation for an “offensive” war, state-run media reported Thursday.
Kim fired Gen. Pak Su Il, chief of the General Staff, during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party central military commission held Wednesday, Korean Central News Agency reported.
He replaced Pak with Vice Marshal Ri Yong Gil, who currently serves as the North’s defense minister.
The meeting also dealt with “dismissing, transferring to other posts or newly appointing some leading commanding officers,” KCNA said. No reasons were given for the military reshuffle.
