The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on October 9 that the Supreme People's Assembly (parliament) approved the appointment of the Minister of National Defense and other cabinet members.

Accordingly, Mr. No Kwang-chol was reappointed as Minister of National Defense, replacing Mr. Kang Sun-nam. Mr. Ri Man-su was appointed as Minister of State Construction Control and Mr. Kim Song-bin became Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology.

PHOTO: RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Mr. No Kwang-chol served as Minister of National Defense from June 2018 to December 2019. The period in question was when North Korea pursued a policy of dialogue in its relations with South Korea and the United States.

During this period, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had three summits with then South Korean President Moon Jae-in and two with then US President Donald Trump.

Mr. No Kwang-chol accompanied the leader on trips to Singapore in 2018 and Vietnam in 2019 for talks with US leaders.

The 11th session of the 14th National Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea opened on October 7 in Pyongyang. Over the past two days, the North Korean parliament has agreed to amend and supplement the socialist constitution, including adjusting the working age and voting rights. Laws on light industry, foreign economy and quality control are also being considered for approval at the session.

In another development, the North Korean military announced on October 9 that it would cut off all roads and railways connecting to South Korea and reinforce the border areas.

The move is a response to South Korean military exercises and frequent visits by US strategic nuclear systems to the region. In a statement carried by KCNA, North Korea called South Korea a "main hostile state and an unchanging main enemy."

South Korea has not commented on the move.