INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un replaced the military&s top general and called for more preparations for the possibility of war, a boost in
weapons production, and expansion of military drills, state media KCNA reported on Thursday.Kim made the comments at a meeting of the
Central Military Commission which discussed plans for countermeasures to deter North Korea&s enemies, which it did not name, the report
said.The country&s top general, Chief of the General Staff Pak Su Il was &dismissed,& KCNA reported, without elaborating
He had served in his role for about seven months.Pak was replaced by General Ri Yong Gil, who previously served as the country&s defence
minister, as well as the top commander of its conventional troops, Reuters reported.Ri also previously served as the army chief of staff
When he was replaced in 2016 his sacking and subsequent absence from official events sparked reports in South Korea that he had been
He reappeared a few months later, when he was named to another senior post.Kim also set a target for the expansion of weapons production
capacity, the report said, without providing details
Last week he visited weapons factories where he called for more missile engines, artillery and other weapons to be built, read the
report.Photos released by KCNA showed Kim pointing at Seoul and areas surrounding the South Korean capital on a map.The United States has
accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells, rockets and missiles
Russia and North Korea have denied those claims, Reuters reported.Kim also called for the military to conduct drills with the country&s
latest weapons and equipment to keep its forces ready for combat, the report said.North Korea is set to stage a militia parade on Sept
9, marking the 75th anniversary of the Day of the Foundation of the Republic
North Korea has a number of paramilitary groups it uses to bolster its military forces.The United States and South Korea are scheduled to
hold military drills between Aug
21 and 24, which the North sees as a threat to its security.The post North Korea&s Kim dismisses top general, calls for war preparations
first appeared on Ariana News.
