North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has demoted Jong Kyong-thaek, director of the General Political Bureau of North Korea’s People’s Army, in a sweeping military leadership shake-up following the capsizing of a North Korean warship.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on May 30 that the 8th Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of North Korea’s Workers’ Party was held two days earlier, with Kim presiding over the session at the party’s central headquarters.
General-Level Reshuffle as Leadership Shifts
During the meeting, Kim ordered the appointment of new corps-level commanders, as well as chiefs for the artillery and security departments. Several political commissars were also reassigned. Although the identities of the new appointees were not disclosed, the restructuring marked one of the most significant changes in the North Korean military leadership in nearly two years.
![The rank insignia of Jong Kyong-taek, Director of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean military, was that of a four-star General during the Workers’ Party Central Military Commission meeting on May 28 (top), but changed to a three-star General during an artillery firing event on May 29(bottom). [Korean Central News Agency]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0530-demotion.jpg)
Photos released by KCNA show a notable change in Jong Kyong-thaek’s military rank. On May 28, he wore a four-star general insignia. By the following day, in state media coverage of an artillery firing event, he was seen wearing the three-star general insignia. Despite the demotion, his position as head of the General Political Bureau remains intact.
Political Control Remains Central to Military Discipline
The General Political Bureau oversees ideological education and internal surveillance within the military, ensuring party directives are carried out and corruption is monitored. Political commissars under this bureau operate within the People’s Army Party Committee, and Jong, as the bureau chief, supervises their activities.
Hong Min, senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification in South Korea, noted that Jong’s demotion likely stems from the bureau’s failure to prevent the May 21 accident at the Chongjin Shipyard, where a newly launched destroyer capsized. “It appears to be a symbolic reprimand,” Hong said, pointing out that Jong retained his senior post.
Strengthening Discipline After the Destroyer Incident
The recent Central Military Commission meeting was the first of its kind since August 2023. Analysts suggest the session and the reshuffle reflect an effort by Kim to restore discipline and accountability within the military after the high-profile accident.
KCNA added that the commission reached “important conclusions” regarding defense enhancement and the military’s political and operational priorities. However, specific details of those conclusions were not disclosed.
Following the incident at the Chongjin Shipyard, Kim condemned the officials involved, stating the blunder had “undermined the dignity and pride of the state in an instant.”
BY MOOYOUNG LEE [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]
