Ri Yong Ho held several other posts in the government and was considered a close aide to Kim Jong Un, the young North Korean leader. This move, to relieve Ri Yong Ho may signify a power struggle within the regime, an analyst says.
The military official, Ri Yong Ho, was believed to be one of the closest aides to the young North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, who assumed power following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.
Ri was believed to have helped Kim Jong Un consolidate his power during ensuing months. In addition to being chief of the army, Ri held several key government posts, including vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Korean Central News Agency said in its report Monday.
KCNA said the decision to relieve Ri of all posts was made at a meeting of senior officials the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on Sunday. It did not elaborate on his illness.One observer of North Korea said he believed this move could represent a struggle between the powerful military and the civilian elite in North Korea.
