Pak Yong Sik, who stands to Kim Jong Un's right, was recently promoted to four-star general after the purge of defense chief Hyon Yong Chol. File Photo by Rodong Sinmun/Yonhap

SEOUL, July 11 (UPI) -- North Korean officials Saturday confirmed Gen. Pak Yong Sik has replaced the country's former defense minister, believed to have been executed for insubordination.

The country's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Pak, a four-star Army general, was promoted to head of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. It is the first confirmation from Pyongyang since Hyon Yong Chol was executed after dozing during government meetings.

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