North Korea removes army chief
Updated at 5:26 pm on 16 July 2012
State media in North Korea say the country's army chief has been removed from all his official civilian and military posts.
The BBC reports Ri Yong-Ho is said to have been relieved of his duties because of an illness, but a BBC correspondent says many observers are sceptical about this.
An earlier photo of Ri Yong-Ho.
PHOTO: AFP PHOTO / KCNA via KNS
Mr Ri was seen as a key figure in the transition of power to the current leader, Kim Jung-un, who came to power seven months ago.
The BBC says Mr Kim's more relaxed leadership style has led a number of observers to predict wider changes in the closed Stalinist country.
Mr Ri became army chief three years ago, and appeared regularly with the former leader, Kim Jong-il.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand
Top Stories
More News
- National
- World
- Christchurch Earthquake
- Political
- Budget 2013
- Te Manu Korihi
- Regional
- Business
- Rural
- Sport
