North Korea has undertaken a significant reshuffling of its top military leadership, including the replacement of its defense minister, according to state media reports on Sunday. The changes were formalized during a meeting of the ruling party’s central military commission, chaired by leader Kim Jong Un over the weekend.

Kim Song Gi, who previously served as the director of the Korean People’s Army’s General Political Bureau, has been appointed as the new defense minister. This appointment marks a notable shift in the command structure of the country’s armed forces. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the proceedings, highlighting the party’s ongoing efforts to maintain firm control over military affairs.

The meeting also saw other senior military officials reassigned or removed from their posts. While KCNA did not provide extensive details on the reasons behind each personnel change, such reshuffles are often interpreted as a means for Kim Jong Un to consolidate power and ensure loyalty within the military hierarchy. The exact scope of the reshuffle and the specific roles of the affected officials remain unclear, but the move signals a dynamic approach to military governance in Pyongyang.