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Friday, January 24, 2020, 12:43
DPRK: Ex-defence commander is new foreign minister
By Reuters
Friday, January 24, 2020, 12:43 By Reuters

In this Jan 9, 2018 photo, head of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) delegation Ri Son-gwon speaks during a meeting with the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, ROK. (PHOTO / KOREA POOL VIA AP)

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) confirmed on Friday that Ri Son-gwon, a former defence commander with limited diplomatic experience, has been appointed the country's new foreign affairs minister.

The appointment came as a surprise to DPRK watchers amid stalled talks with Washington, as Ri Son-gwon does not have any experience in dealing with nuclear issues or US officials

The official KCNA news agency reported Ri, the latest military official to be promoted under DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, gave a speech as minister at a New Year dinner reception hosted by the ministry on Thursday for embassies and international organisations.

A diplomatic source in Seoul told Reuters DPRK informed countries with embassies in Pyongyang last week that Ri, a former military officer and now a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party, had replaced Ri Yong-ho as Pyongyang's top diplomat.

ALSO READ: Report: DPRK foreign minister replaced

The appointment came as a surprise to DPRK watchers amid stalled denuclearisation talks with Washington, as Ri does not have any experience in dealing with nuclear issues or US officials. His predecessor was a career diplomat and seasoned nuclear negotiator, though he often took a backseat to military

officer-turned-party envoys during the last two years of diplomacy.

The new foreign minister did, however, lead high-level inter-Korean talks in 2018 as chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, which handles Republic of Korea affairs.

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