Kim Jong-Il fires senior military leader in unusual move seen tied to succession
SEOUL – North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Il has sacked a top military leader, citing his old age, in an apparent generational shift to help pave the handing of power to his son.
Vice Marshal Kim Il-Chol has been relieved of "all" of his posts, including membership in the powerful National Defense Commission, "for his advanced age of 80," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a statement.