Kang Sok Ju, a powerful man who has helped engineer North Korea’s nuclear programme for almost 20 years, was promoted to vice premier in North Korea. Kang worked out details of the 1994 “Agreed Framework” in which the US commited to delivering light water reactors to North Korea in exchange for denuclearization. Kim Kye Gwan takes over Kang’s old post, vice foreign minister, while Ri Yong Ho was also promoted to vice foreign minister. Ri and Kim have been prominent diplomats in the six party talks regarding North Korea’s nuclear disarmament. These promotions of course come ahead of the Worker’s Party conference on September 28th, where key players are speculated to be moved into high ranking positions, possibly to enforce loyalty in the regime and pave the way for a future succession by heir-apparent son of Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un.
Source: The Washington Post
