North Korean leader names new prime minister, promotes brother-in-law
June 7th, 2010 - 4:02 pm ICT by BNO NewsPYONGYANG (BNO NEWS) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-il named a new prime minister during a rare parliamentary session on Monday, state media reported. He also promoted his brother-in-law to a higher position.
The promotions were made during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang, the second such meeting since April 9 - when Kim Jong-il was not present.
During Monday’s session, Kim Jong-il named Choe Yong-rim - who currently is the secretary general of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers’ Party - as the country’s new prime minister. Choe will replace Kim Yong-il, who was elected during the fifth session of the 11th Supreme People’s Assembly on April 11, 2007.
The North Korean leader - who is rarely seen in public - also promoted his brother-in-law to a higher position. Jang Song-thaek, who currently leads a Workers’ Party department, was elected vice head of the powerful National Defense Commission.
The cabinet shake-up comes at a time when tensions on the Korean Peninsula are running high over North Korea’s alleged attack on a South Korean ship. According to the outcome of a South Korean-led international investigation, a torpedo launched by a North Korean submarine sank the ROKS Cheonan on March 26, killing 46 personnel on board.
South Korea - the last Stalinist state on Earth - denies the allegations.
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