Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un replaced the military’s top general on Thursday, August 10, 2023, as he called for more preparations for the possibility of war.
Kim dismissed Chief of the General Staff Pak Su Il at a meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Central Military Commission, state media KCNA reported. Pak was replaced by Ri Yong Gil, who had previously served as defense minister.
Kim said that the military needed to be “fully ready to respond to any eventuality,” and that it should “beef up its war deterrent as much as possible.” He also ordered the military to conduct more drills and exercises.
The dismissal of Pak is seen as a sign of Kim’s dissatisfaction with the military’s performance. Pak had been in his position for less than two years, and he had been seen as a close ally of Kim.
The dismissal comes at a time of heightened tensions between North Korea and the United States. The two countries have been engaged in a war of words for months, and there is concern that the situation could escalate.
Kim’s call for more preparations for war is a further sign that he is not backing down from his threats. It is unclear what the next move from North Korea will be, but it is clear that the situation is volatile.
The dismissal of Pak and Kim’s call for more preparations for war are a reminder of the threat posed by North Korea. The country has a large nuclear arsenal and is developing new missiles that could reach the United States. The international community must continue to pressure North Korea to denuclearize and to come to the negotiating table.