Kim, meanwhile, is seen as a hardliner by many North Korean observers. He is often cited for having instigated the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010 and the sinking of a South Korean warship eight months earlier while he was the commanding officer for the fourth corps, which is in charge of Hwanghae Province. The province lies north of the Northern Limit Line that acts as the demarcation line that separates the two Koreas in the Yellow Sea.

The two incidents left 50 South Koreans dead and soured inter-Korean relations.

Pyongyang watchers said that Kim’s appointment could singal the completion of the first reorganization of military brass under North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The leader had already sacked Ri Yong-ho, who was appointed by his late father Kim Jong-il, from the general staff’s top post in July 2012, and appointed Hyon Yong-chol. Hyon too has been forced out after having served about 10 months at his post. The young leader took power following the sudden death of his father in late 2011.

Related to the changes that have taken place, a government source said the initial assessment that North Korea’s young leader may have pushed for a “generational change” to place younger officers in position of power may not have been accurate.

“There has been considerable change for senior military posts requiring a more careful analysis of how to interpret Pyongyang’s appointment style.” (Yonhap News)