North Korea in leadership reshuffle

North Korea has reshuffled its top leadership at a rare second session of its parliament, state media says.

Top leader Kim Jong-il attended the session, KCNA news agency said, after missing the previous one on 9 April.

Choe Yong-rim replaced Kim Yong-il as premier – the official responsible for the communist state’s economic policy.

State media also said that Mr Kim’s brother-in-law, Chang Song-taek, was promoted to a powerful military post on the National Defence Commission.

Mr Chang is thought to be a backer of a hereditary succession involving Mr Kim’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un.

Succession hint?

The 687-member parliament – known as the Supreme People’s Assembly – usually meets just once a year.

The special session of parliament, announced on 18 May, was called to discuss “organisational matters”, KCNA said.

Choe Yong-rim, the Pyongyang party chief, was reportedly proposed as premier by the political bureau of the party’s Central Committee.

Continue reading the main story Undated image of Chang Song-taek, released by North Korean state media on 18 January 2009 Profile: Chang Song-taek Profile: Kim Jong-un

Some reports linked the replacement of the premier to last year’s failed currency revaluation.

Mr Chang’s promotion came “at the proposal of Kim Jong-il”, the agency said.

The NDC is North Korea’s highest military body and Mr Chang – already a member – now becomes a vice-chairman.

Mr Chang has been described as one of Mr Kim’s most trusted allies. Some reports said he had overseen affairs while Mr Kim was incapacitated after a stroke in 2008.

His promotion will be seen by some as a sign that Mr Kim is putting key personnel in place to ensure a smooth transition of power to his son.

Three ministers – of light industry, foodstuffs and physical culture – were replaced, and six new vice-premiers appointed.

The reshuffle comes with inter-Korean ties in tatters, following the sinking of a South Korean warship.

Forty-six sailors were killed when the Cheonan went down on 26 March near the disputed inter-Korean border.

International investigators say a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine sank the ship – something Pyongyang rejects.

It has called Seoul’s decision to refer the issue to the UN Security Council “intolerable”.