Kim Jong-Un works to shore up military ties after shifting power to party

Special to WorldTribune.com

North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Un’s recent visits to military units are aimed at soothing disgruntled military leaders following the recent purges of senior officers and the adoption of measures that weaken the military, South Korean officials and sources say.

unlikeswood — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and military leaders exchange smiles in a wooden boat en route to visiting the Mu Islet Guards unit on Aug. 17. /KCNA

Kim Jong-Un, who ascended to power after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December, has taken a series of steps to rein in the military that had grown powerful under his father’s “Songun” (military-first) policy.

Measures to tame the military were highlighted by the purge in July of Ri Yong-Ho, chief of the General Staff of the People’s Army, a post awarded to him in 2009 by the elder Kim.

Ri’s ally, U Dong-Chuk, chief of the country’s intelligence agency of the State Security Ministry, is also believed to have been purged.

U was replaced by Kim Won-Hong in April, a close aide to Jang Song-Thaek, Kim Jong-Un’s uncle and Ri’s arch rival. U has not been seen in public since March.

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“Songun” military-first policy, Jang Song-Thaek, Kim Jong-Un works to shore up military ties after shifting power to party, People’s Army, Ri Yong-Ho, U Dong-Chuk

Kim Jong-Un works to shore up military ties after shifting power to party added by World Tribune on August 30, 2012
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