North Korea Replaces Defence Minister With Kim Song-gi in Major Military Reshuffle

August 30, 2026

Seoul: North Korea has replaced its defence minister as part of a reshuffle of senior military leadership, state media reported on Sunday.

Kim Song-gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, has been appointed the country’s new defence minister, replacing No Kwang-chol, according to North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

No Kwang-chol has been removed as defence minister and from the Party’s central leadership. He has instead been appointed first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee.

Kim Song-gi Appointed New Defence Minister

The reshuffle was decided at the second meeting of the ninth WPK Central Military Commission, held on Saturday under the guidance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, KCNA reported.

The changes come as Pyongyang continues to focus on strengthening its military capabilities and defence-related research.

In another key appointment, veteran military official Pak Jong-chon was named vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission after being re-elected as a member of the Party’s Central Committee and Politburo.

Pak Jong-chon Returns to Key Military Post

Pak Jong-chon has returned to the forefront of North Korea’s military leadership after stepping down from the Politburo and Party secretary posts and being removed from the Central Military Commission’s vice chairmanship in February.

His removal at the time had led to speculation that he was stepping back from frontline responsibilities because of his age.

The vice-chairmanship of the Central Military Commission is a key position overseeing North Korea’s military policies. Kim Jong-un chairs the commission.

According to KCNA, the meeting discussed “a series of structural reorganisation plans” aimed at improving and developing the country’s overall defence affairs.

Kim Jong-un Praises Defence Scientists

In a separate dispatch, KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un met scientists, researchers and officials from major defence research institutions and awarded them state commendations for their contributions to developing new combat weapon systems and improving their performance.

Kim described the researchers as “the greatest patriots and heroes” and praised what he called recent innovative military science and technology achievements.

He described the developments as a major step towards improving the modernity of North Korea’s combat weapon systems.

Kim also expressed hope that the scientists and researchers would further strengthen the country’s self-defence capabilities by developing more advanced military technologies.