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Kim Jong-un's Long Battle to Rein in Military (North Korea)
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 11/12/2013 | Chosun Ilbo

Posted on 11/11/2013 8:51:25 PM PST by TexGrill

In an apparent attempt to bring North Korea's all-powerful military to heel, the country's young leader Kim Jong-un has reshuffled all the top brass over the last two years.

Hardline officers who were purged or replaced include the military Politburo chief, the Army chief, the director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and the minister of the People's Armed Forces.

In April last year, Kim appointed Choe Ryong-hae, who has no military background, as Politburo chief and replaced the military, security and intelligence chiefs several times.

Several lower-ranking officers have also been demoted and then restored to their original posts, which resulted in weakening their control over troops.

Lee Soo-seok at the Institute for National Security Strategy said Kim sees the military as a threat because it had grown too powerful as a result of his father's "songun" or military-first doctrine. He said Kim reshuffled officers to "weaken the power of the military and eliminate threats like a coup d'etat." Instead, he has been trying to strengthen the Workers Party.

The regime's two-track strategy of bolstering nuclear weapons and pursuing economic development also undermined the military's power.

(Excerpt) Read more at english.chosun.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; History; Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS: nkorea; northkoreaeconomy
Global business tip
1 posted on 11/11/2013 8:51:25 PM PST by TexGrill
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To: TexGrill

And Obama is trying to replace the NSA chief from US military to a politically appointment.


2 posted on 11/11/2013 8:57:20 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: Jet Jaguar

Politically=political.


3 posted on 11/11/2013 8:58:04 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: TexGrill

Business tip?

Know more than those three English words?


4 posted on 11/11/2013 8:58:18 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: TexGrill

Looks like Junior is taking notes from the Usurper or could be the other way around.


5 posted on 11/11/2013 8:59:26 PM PST by Patriot Babe
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To: Revolting cat!

It costs money to buy weapons.


6 posted on 11/11/2013 9:00:28 PM PST by TexGrill (Don't mess with Texas)
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To: TexGrill

“Kim Jong-un has reshuffled all the top brass over the last two years.”

Sounds familiar. Except they get to keep their jobs.


7 posted on 11/11/2013 9:02:46 PM PST by ToastedHead
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