Published: 16:23, August 30, 2026 | Updated: 17:35, August 30, 2026
DPRK ruling party convenes key military meeting
By Xinhua

In this file photo provided by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's government on June 24, 2026, DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un (center) speaks during a commissioning ceremony of its destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampho Port on June 23, 2026. (PHOTO/AP)

PYONGYANG – The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), convened the second meeting of its Ninth Central Military Commission on Saturday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the WPK, chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, guided the key event, it said.

The meeting discussed "a series of structural reorganization plans for the improvement and development of the future overall defense affairs," the report said.

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During the meeting, the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee approved by-elections of Pak Jong-chon, advisor to the Ministry of National Defense, as a member of the WPK Central Committee and of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee; Yu Kwang U, director of the Security Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA), as a member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee; and Om Ju Ho, political commissar of the KPA Air Force, as a member of the WPK Central Committee, according to the KCNA report.

Meanwhile, the WPK Central Military Commission carried out a major reshuffle involving some military commanding officers, the report said.

Pak Jong-chon was also elected as vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission.

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No Kwang-chol, minister of national defense, was dismissed from his post and recalled from the WPK central leadership. He was appointed first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department of the WPK Central Committee. Kim Song Gi, director of the KPA General Political Bureau, was appointed as minister of national defense.

In addition, Yu Kwang U was appointed first vice-director of the KPA General Political Bureau, while Om Ju Ho was appointed director of the KPA Security Bureau, according to the KCNA report.