North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sacks top general, hastens 'war preparations'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un testing a weapon during an inspection of major munitions factories at an undisclosed location in North Korea. PHOTO: EPA-EFE via The Straits Times/ANN

SEOUL (dpa): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un fired his top general and ordered the war readiness of the armed forces be stepped up, state-controlled media reported on Thursday.

General Pak Su Il was ousted as chief of the General Staff and replaced by Ri Yong Gil, who had recently served as defence minister, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, without elaborating on a reason.