Deputy Minister Kim Jong-gwan was appointed as North Korean Defense Minister in place of No Kwang-chol, KCNA confirmed.

North Korea's central news agency (KCNA) today mentioned "Defense Minister Kim Jong-gwan" in a news conference on January 21 to discuss issues related to forest restoration and protection. environment. The KCNA newsletter is considered a confirmation of the new position of Kim, who served as Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces of Korea.

Kim Jong-gwan is said to have replaced No Kwang-chol as head of the Ministry of Defense since he was appointed as a permanent member of the North Korean Labor Party Politburo at a conference last December.

Kim is in charge of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's key construction projects such as a tourist resort in the Wonsan-Kalma region on the east coast and a resort in Yangdok, South Pyongan Province.

North Korean media last year mentioned his name among those who welcomed Kim Jong-un to visit Yangdok Resort. The resort has been in operation since this month in the context of Kim Jong-un wants to attract more foreign tourists and foreign currency sources to support international sanctions.

Speculations of Kim Jong-gwan becoming the new Defense Minister have been in place since North Korea earlier this month, saying a major cabinet reform was underway at the 4-day plenary session of the North Korean Workers Party. last. North Korean media then posted photos of Kim Jong-gwan wearing the rank of general, but did not specify his position.