Pyongyang: North Korea appears to have replaced its chemical industry minister, as reported by state media on Wednesday. This change comes as leader Kim Jong-un increases disciplinary measures among officials ahead of a pivotal party congress.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim Sun-myong, the new Chemical Industry Minister, delivered a speech at the completion ceremony for a catalyst production line at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in South Pyongan Province. Previously, Kim Chol-ha was identified as the chemical industry minister, doubling as vice premier. His last known official engagement was reported at the inauguration of a melamine resin production line at a fertilizer complex in Hungnam on June 9 of the previous year.
The recent report indicates that the replacement of the chemical industry minister likely took place after mid-2025. KCNA did not specify details regarding the timing or reasons for the reshuffle, although it appears to be associated with Kim Jong-un’s focus on enforcing stricter discipline.
In a speech delivered on Monday, Kim Jong-un referenced “incidents” at both the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex and the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex, highlighting the irresponsibility of the then vice premier, which suggests that Kim Chol-ha might have been dismissed due to inadequate discipline.
North Korea is seemingly intensifying disciplinary actions among economic officials in preparation for the upcoming ninth party congress. This event is expected to unveil an economic development strategy and execute a personnel reshuffle.
The report follows an incident where Kim Jong-un dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho during an inauguration ceremony for a modernization project at a machine complex on Monday. The dismissal was due to Yang’s perceived irresponsibility regarding the project.
In his address at the ceremony, Kim Jong-un criticized certain Cabinet officials for their “inveterate way of work” and labeled them as “unfaithful to their own duties and incompetent.”