Revealed, Kim Jong-un Fires North Korea's Head Of Nuclear And Missile Development

North Korean leader Kim Jon-un with Ri Pyong-chol (Source: Rodong Sinmun via nknews.org)

JAKARTA - The puzzle of the top officials of the Workers' Party of Korea, the government and military officials who were sacked by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un late last month has been answered.

The figure who was fired was one of Kim Jong-un's confidants, as well as his wife's brother, Ri Sol-ju, because it was considered a mishandling of the corona virus pandemic.

He is Marshal of the Korean People's Army Ri Pyong-chol, Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission, a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea who is also one of Kim Jong-un's advisers.

"Kim's aide, Ri Pyong Chol, has led North Korea's nuclear and missile development. He was removed from the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea at its meeting late last month," a diplomatic source quoted Kyodo News as saying Tuesday, July 6.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized top ruling party officials for failing in anti-epidemic work, causing major incidents, endangering the safety of the country and people, state news agency KCNA said last week.

"The Secretary-General (Kim Jong-un) dismissed the senior members of the party. They neglected the implementation of important decisions on the prolonged state emergency epidemic prevention campaign," KCNA said without elaborating on those who were fired.

The Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea consists of five members, including Kim. Among them, Jo Yong Won, whom Kim trusted greatly, made a speech at the latest party meeting. Two other members were reported by state media as members of the Presidium earlier this month.

A South Korean Unification Ministry official said Tuesday that Ri may have been expelled from the Presidium. Meanwhile, North Korean Prime Minister Kim Tok Hun held a meeting with Agriculture Ministry officials, KCNA reported Tuesday.

Last year, North Korea said it had declared a state of emergency and locked down the border town of Kaesong, after someone who defected to South Korea three years ago returned across the border with what state media said were symptoms of COVID-19.