North Korea re-appoints 'key' positions in weapons program

At a recently concluded defense industry conference, North Korea reappointed several key positions in its weapons development program.

Mr. Thae Jong-su (left) and Mr. No Kwang-chol (right), two officials recently appointed to key positions in the North Korean arms industry. Photo: Yonhap

According toYonhapAt a conference on the arms industry, North Korea on December 12 reviewed its defense achievements, including the test launch of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile on November 29.

Korean Central News AgencyKCNAThe conference was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and top North Korean officials in the fields of weapons manufacturing and procurement.

The most powerful figure on the list is Thae Jong-su, who was appointed Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in October. On the first day of the conference, Thae was introduced as the person responsible for reporting on the defense industry to Kim Jong-un.

Previously, the person in charge of this reporting job was Mr. Ri Man-gon, head of the weapons department of the Korean Workers' Party. However,YonhapIt is believed that Mr. Ri may have been removed from his position because he did not appear at an important ruling party event in October.

Mr Thae is believed to have been appointed to replace Mr Ri as vice chairman of the party's defense production department. Mr Thae was previously the director of a weapons factory in Chagang province.

Besides,YonhapCiting a source from the South Korean intelligence agency, North Korea also appointed Mr. No Kwang-chol as the head of the Second Economic Committee, an agency tasked with financing and providing funding for activities related to the North Korean arms industry. Mr. No used to hold the position of Vice Minister of Defense of North Korea.

According toYonhapThe conference also noted the rapid advancement of Jang Chang-ha and Jon Il-ho. These two officials were responsible for commanding North Korea's missile test launch on November 29, which, according to North Korea, completed Pyongyang's nuclear force.

Jang Chang-ha and Jon Il-ho, two officials behind North Korea's November 29 ballistic missile test, talk with leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Yonhap

According to Dan Tri