In a formal report carried by the Korean Central News Agency, Roh Gwang Chol has been appointed as North Korea’s new Minister of Defense. This change marks a significant shift in the leadership of the armed forces and underscores Pyongyang’s continuing emphasis on military readiness, modernization, and strategic deterrence. The KCNA account outlines Roh’s long career within the defense establishment and presents him as a trusted figure positioned to guide the ministry through a period of focused security planning and organizational renewal, according to KCNA.
At the 11th session of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the 14th term, additional personnel changes were announced across the government. Lee Man-soo was named Minister of State Control over Construction, a portfolio tied to oversight of major building projects and infrastructure initiatives that support the state’s development goals. Kim Sung-bin was appointed Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology, a role closely connected to promoting research, innovation, and technocratic management. The announcements reflect a broader reshuffle meant to synchronize development, scientific progress, and defense priorities, KCNA reported.
Previously, the head of North Korea’s defense ministry was Kang Sun Nam. The transition fits into a pattern of leadership adjustments aimed at signaling continuity between established defense doctrine and new personnel bringing forward the next phase of policy implementation, according to state media reports from KCNA.
On October 8, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un declared that the nation would accelerate the construction of a military superpower with substantial nuclear capabilities. He warned that any violation of the strategic balance on the Korean Peninsula could provoke war, emphasizing that Pyongyang’s policy centers on possessing weapons capable of deterring adversaries and stabilizing the regional situation, KCNA noted.
Earlier, on October 4, Kim Jong-un stated that North Korea would mobilize all available forces to defend its sovereignty in the event of external aggression. The leader underscored theimaximum commitment to safeguarding the country’s independence and security, as reported by KCNA.
For the first time, footage of a secret uranium enrichment facility was published, marking a notable moment in the disclosure of sensitive programs. The release came through state media and has drawn international attention, KCNA reported.