In a report on the Labour Day celebrations in Pyongyang , North Korea 's official news agency , KCNA , called Hwang Pyong So as a director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army , Choe Ryong Hae not anymore , which previously held that position . The position was generally seen as the second most important number in the military after Kim , who is the supreme commander .
The leadership change comes amid growing concerns that North Korea is preparing to conduct a nuclear test fourth . The international community strongly opposed the test plan after a number of recent satellite imagery shows an increase in activity at the site of a major test of the country.
" It made Hwang , who had a close personal relationship with Kim Jong Un , becoming the second most powerful man in the country , " said Michael Madden , author and editor of the website NK Leadership Watch .
Hwang designation comes just days after the KCNA reported his promotion to the rank of vice marshal on April 28 , a rank equivalent to Choe and four others .
However , it is not immediately clear what happened to Choe , who is widely believed to have entered into a formal role as the number two North Korea following the execution of his uncle and political mentor mentor Kim , Jang Song Thaek ie , in December. Choe holds a number of other important positions as a member of the politburo and vice chairman of the committee for the Central Military Commission and the National Defence Commission .
There are a number of reports earlier this year that Choe has been arrested and may be removed after he disappeared from public view for three weeks , an unusually long absence for senior leaders like him . Comeback in March , with Kim , fueling speculation that his absence may be due to health problems .
" I can not think that we can say Choe has been removed , but he obviously had shifted , probably for reasons of health or other reasons , " said Yang Moo Jin , a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul . Who agreed that Hwang has now effectively become the number two in the country , given the military rank , position , and private access to the supreme leader .
Hwang ( 64 years ) , was a high official in the Ministry of manual organization of the ruling party with a portfolio that includes physical and political protection Kim Jong Un . According to Madden , his name began to appear in the mid -2000s , about the time father Kim Jong Un , Kim Jong Il is , has completed arrangements who would succeed him as leader . " He became one of the mentors of Kim Jong Un and has been close to him for about 10 years , so he already prepared for this role , " said Madden told AFP .
Rumors about a change at the top of the Pyongyang regime has intensified after Jang Song Thaek execution against .
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