The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has named an army general with expertise in artillery as the country's new military commander, state media reported, in a move that an analyst said could signal plans for the development of new weapons.
Pak Jong Chon was appointed the "Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army," the KCNA news agency said late Friday, adding that the decision was announced during a meeting attended by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.
Pak succeeds Ri Yong Gil, an expert on military operations who has served in the position on two separate occasions since 2013.
The test-firing of a "newly developed super-large multiple rocket launcher" took place at an undisclosed location in the DPRK, August 25, 2019. /VCG Photo
Pak accompanied Kim when he supervised the test-firing of what Pyongyang said were "new-type tactical guided missiles" in August.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (C) celebrates the test-firing of a "newly developed super-large multiple rocket launcher" at an undisclosed location in DPRK, August 25, 2019. /VCG Photo
Pak was also present when Kim oversaw the test of a "newly developed large-caliber multiple launch guided rocket system" in July, KCNA reported at the time.
Seoul has described the two launches as "short-range ballistic missiles," which the DPRK is barred from testing under UN resolutions.
Pyongyang had said the two launches – along with five other tests in July and August – were a warning to Washington and Seoul over their August joint military drills, which it has long considered rehearsals for invasion.
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The launch that took place on August 6, in particular, verified the "war capacity" of the new-type missiles, KCNA said last month.
Pak's promotion came as working-level nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington remain gridlocked, despite an agreement in June between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump to kick-start the process.
Pyongyang has not responded to U.S. calls to come to the table and warned last week its expectations for an accord with Washington were "disappearing."
(Cover: Korean People's Army soldiers arrive to pay their respects before the statues of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu hill in Pyongyang, DPRK, April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo)