North Korea's Kim Picks Hawk For Top Military Post

摘要

North Korean leader Kim Jong-II has promoted a renowned hawk to a top military post, signalling a continuing hard line against South Korea, analysts said.rnGen O Kuk-Ryol was appointed vice chairman of the National Defence Commission, said an official statement published by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.rnThe commission chaired by Kim is the country's most powerful body and controls the country's 1.1 million strong military.rnGen O replaced VM Kim Yong-Chun, also known as a hawkish figure, who was promoted recently to armed forces minister. Born in 1931, he is one of Kim's confidants and a "renowned hawk" who has advocated a hardline stance against South Korea, it was reported.rnAs army chief in the late 1970s, Gen O played a crucial role in helping Kim consolidate his grip on power as he prepared to succeed his father and then-president Kim Il-Sung, analysts said.