Pyongyang: North Korea has appointed a new Vice-Marshal, Hyon Yong-chol, a day after the Army chief, Ri Yong-ho, was removed from his post ‘due to illness’.
According to the state-run media, the decision was made by the Central Military Commission of the Workers` Party of Korea and the National Defense Commission of North Korea.
A statement issued by the commission, however, did not say if Hyon was taking over the top military job from Ri.
Hyon is now one of four Vice-Marshals in the Army, the BBC reports.
He is believed to have been appointed a general in 2010, but is not currently part of the military commission chaired by young leader Kim Jong-un, the state-media reports said.
Meanwhile, Yong-ho`s removal took many North Korea observers by surprise, with widespread scepticism at the official explanation for the move.
He was seen as a key figure in the recent transition of power from Kim Jong-il, who died in December 2011, to his son.
ANI
