17 Jul 2012

North Korea announces new military appointment

6:47 pm on 17 July 2012

North Korea has appointed a new vice-marshal, Hyon Yong-chol.

The move comes a day after army chief Ri Yong-ho was removed from his post due to illness.

North Korea's state news agency says the decision was made by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the National Defence Commission of North Korea, the BBC reports.

The statement did not say if Mr Hyon was taking over the top military job from Mr Ri, 70.

Little is known of Mr Hyon, who is reported to be a member of the party's 120-member central committee.

He is now one of four vice-marshals in the army.