North Korea Conducts Military Personnel Promotions Ahead of Taeyangjeol

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea promoted the ranks of high-ranking military officials who had been demoted, a day before the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birthday (Day of the Sun, April 15).

On the 14th, Korean Central Broadcasting reported the order from Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, stating, "On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of the great leader Comrade Kim Il-sung, I hereby order the promotion of military titles."

A large-scale promotion involving a total of 70 people, including six generals?Kim Jeong-gwan, Kim Myung-sik, Kim Kwang-hyuk, Jeong Gyeong-taek, Oh Il-jeong, and Kang Soon-nam?was carried out. Among them, except for Oh Il-jeong and Kang Soon-nam, four had their ranks previously downgraded but were reinstated to the rank of general.

Additionally, three corps commanders?Choi Du-yong, Kwon Tae-yong, and Park Su-il?were promoted to the rank of major general (three stars). This promotion ahead of the Day of the Sun is interpreted as an effort to soothe the military officials who had been marginalized and to consolidate military loyalty.

In his order, General Secretary Kim stated, "I firmly believe that the core members of the Republic's armed forces command, possessing infinite loyalty to the Party and the revolution, will fulfill their duties in the honorable struggle to make the revolutionary armed forces the best elite under the leadership of the Party Central Committee."