North Korea: Kim Jong Un dismisses top general and calls for war preparations

(Patria) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed the top military general and called for additional preparations for the possibility of war, increasing weapons production and expanding military exercises, state media reported, citing Reuters.

Kim said this at the 7th enlarged meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). At the meeting, Kim also dismissed the top military general, Chief of the General Staff Pak Su Il, KCNA reported, without further explanation.

General Ri Yong Gil was appointed to the vacant position, although it remained unclear whether he would retain his role as defence minister.

His comments followed a visit to weapons factories where he called for the production of more rocket engines, artillery and other weapons. He also called for conducting war exercises to effectively operate the latest weapons and equipment in the country and to maintain the mobility needed for combat at all times, the report said.