North Korea appoints new premier

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129509§ionid=351020405



North Korea has reshuffled its top leadership, appointing the brother-in-law of leader Kim Jong-Il to a powerful military post and sacking its premier.

At an extraordinary session of the North Korean parliament, Choe Yong Rim, a brother-in-law of leader Kim Jong-Il was named Monday as the new premier, replacing Kim Yong-Il, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

In a second appointment, Jang Song Taek, another brother-in-law and key ally of North Korea's leader who is believed to favor an hereditary succession, was promoted to vice-chairmanship of the National Defense Commission, the most powerful organ of government in North Korea.

These changes come as North and South Korea continue to face-off over the sinking of a South Korean warship in March which cost 46 lives and has been referred by the government in Seoul to the UN Security Council.

It was not immediately known why Kim Yong-Il, elected to the post in 2007, was removed in favor of Choe, but the move has been seen as consolidating Kim Jong-Il's grip on power and paving the way for the succession of his youngest son, 28-year-old Kim Jong-Un.

Functions of the North Korean premiership are to oversee economic policy and appoint ministers who are then confirmed by parliament.

KCNA said three vice-premiers were also sacked along with the ministers in charge of light industry, food supply and physical culture and sports.