North Korea's Top General Is Replaced

Ri Yong Ho, left, joined Kim Jong Eun in February at a military parade marking Kim Jong Il's birthday. Kyodo/Reuters

North Korea Relieves Top General -- Wall Street Journal

State Media Says Influential Official Who Guided Transition Was Removed From Posts Due to Illness.

SEOUL—The North Korean general who outsiders viewed as the most important military figure in the power transition after dictator Kim Jong Il's death was relieved of his posts because of illness, the North's state media said Monday.

The general, Ri Yong Ho, 69 years old, has been close to the Kim family and was perceived to have a brother-like relationship with Kim Jong Il, who died in December. Mr. Ri walked alongside Mr. Kim's funeral hearse and, since then, has frequently been seen with Mr. Kim's son, Kim Jong Eun, who took power after his father's death.

Mr. Ri's reported illness and departure from influence poses an early test of the strength of the younger Mr. Kim's new regime.

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More News On The Removal Of North Korea's Top General

North Korea Removes Its Army Chief From All His Posts -- New York Times
N. Korean media: Army chief relieved of all posts -- AP
N.Korea army chief removed from all posts -- AFP
North Korea military head Ri Yong-ho 'removed from post' -- BBC
North Korea Fires Army Chief Ri Yong Ho From All Posts -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea army chief relieved of posts after 'illness' -- CNN
Ill North Korea military head relieved of post -- Sydney Morning Herald