Report: North Korea axes hard-line defense chief

NBC News ^ | 05/13/2013 | Hyung-Jin Kim

[SeekAndFind]

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea has replaced its hard-line defense chief with a little-known army general, according to a state media report Monday, in what outside analysts call an attempt to install a younger figure meant to solidify leader Kim Jong Un's grip on the powerful military.

Jang Jong Nam's appointment is the latest move since Kim succeeded his late father in late 2011 that observers see as a young leader trying to consolidate control. The announcement comes amid easing animosities after weeks of warlike threats between the rivals, including North Korean vows of nuclear strikes. Pyongyang's rhetorical outbursts against massive U.S.-South Korean war drills and U.N. sanctions over the North's February nuclear test were seen, in part, as a push to portray Kim Jong Un at home as a respected military commander on the world stage.

Jang's new role as minister of the People's Armed Forces, however, isn't thought to indicate a potential softening of Pyongyang's stance toward Seoul and Washington any time soon, analysts said. Jang replaces Kim Kyok Sik, the former commander of battalions believed responsible for attacks on South Korea in 2010 that killed 50 South Koreans. Outsiders don't know much about Jang, but analysts said it's unlikely that Kim Jong Un would name a moderate to the post at a time of tension with the outside world.

Mention of Jang's new role was buried in a state media dispatch listing those who attended an art performance with Kim Jong Un. It's not known exactly when Jang was formally appointed to the ministerial post.

[molson209]

With a real AXE

[BerryDingle]

With a real AXE

Yup, Zippy needs to send Axelrod over there for some good old fashion sexual smear lessons for General removals.

[houeto]

The guy on the right?

[Average Al]

"The guy on the right?"

Smiley?