Breaking news in North Korea.
North Korean television announces that Kim Jong-un has promoted Hyon Yong-chol as a new army marshal after sacking his top general. A South Korean official report said the move is a bid to impose authority on a military that has been the backbone of his family's long rule over the isolated state.
Hyon is thought by to be in his early 60s, which is considered young in North Korea's military.
Daniel Pinkston, of the International Crisis Group says the move does not suggest a fundamental change.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) THE NORTH EAST ASIA DEPUTY PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP, DANIEL PINKSTON, SAYING:
"As far as people speculating about Yong-ho being sacked and this being a sign of moving in a direction of reform and liberalization, I don't see that being the case, I mean, Hyon Yong-chol is the same type of the people, this is still a hardliner and everything else, no sign. I don't see any sign of reform."
It is not known whether Hyon will become the head of the North Korean army, one of the world's largest.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
