Jang Jong-nam
General Jang Jong-nam (born c. 1960) is a former defence minister of North Korea. He is believed to be in his 50s.[2]
Jang Jong-nam | |
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Nationality | North Korean |
Occupation | Minister of People's Armed Forces |
Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 장정남 |
Hancha | |
Revised Romanization | Jang Jeong-nam |
McCune–Reischauer | Chang Chŏngnam |
Career
Jang is believed to have played a role in the 2010 bombardment of Yeonpyeong, which killed four people.[2]
Jang was made colonel general on the occasion of Kim Il-sung's 99th birthday in April 2011. He delivered a speech on the first anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death in December 2012 pledging loyalty to Kim Jong-un and threatening to "ravine [the enemies] into their death pitfall when the hour of decisive battle comes".[3] He was identified as general and commander of the forward-deployed 1st Army Corps of the Korean People's Army on that occasion.[2]
Jang was unexpectedly appointed minister of the People's Armed Forces in early May 2013.[2][4] He is the third defence minister appointed by Kim Jong-un since taking control of North Korea in December 2011 (Kim Jong-il only replaced two defence ministers in his 17-year leadership).[2] He was replaced in June 2014.
References
- "揭秘:朝鲜人民武装力量部新部长张正男" [Secret: New Minister of the People's Armed Forces of North Korea, Zhang Zhengnan]. Xinhua News (in Chinese). 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- Mundy, Simon (13 May 2013). "N Korea replaces armed forces minister". Financial Times. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
- "KPA Holds Memorial and Loyalty Meeting On KJI Death Anniversary". North Korea Leadership Watch. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- "North Korea Defense Minister Kim Kyok Sik Replaced With Jang Jong Nam". Huffington Post. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Kim Kyok-sik |
Minister of the People's Armed Forces 2013–2014 |
Succeeded by Hyon Yong-chol |