North Korea has apparently replaced nearly half of the ruling party's central committee's 12 vice chairmen, including former foreign minister Ri Su-yong.
According to a list of the membership of the 70-strong committee unveiled by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Saturday ahead of an event, Ri as well as four others, including party vice chairman Pak Kwang-ho, did not make it on the roll, indicating that they no longer retain their seats.
Earlier this month, the North announced a major party personnel reshuffle after a four-day plenary meeting of the ruling Worker's Party's Central Committee, but details were not revealed at the time.
Meanwhile, a South Korean unification ministry official said more information will be needed to confirm the results of the reshuffle.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
