Breaking news in North Korea.<br/> <br />North Korean television announces that Kim Jong-un has promoted Hyon Yong-chol as a new army marshal after sacking his top general. A South Korean official report said the move is a bid to impose authority on a military that has been the backbone of his family's long rule over the isolated state.<br/> <br />Hyon is thought by to be in his early 60s, which is considered young in North Korea's military.<br/> <br />Daniel Pinkston, of the International Crisis Group says the move does not suggest a fundamental change.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) THE NORTH EAST ASIA DEPUTY PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP, DANIEL PINKSTON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"As far as people speculating about Yong-ho being sacked and this being a sign of moving in a direction of reform and liberalization, I don't see that being the case, I mean, Hyon Yong-chol is the same type of the people, this is still a hardliner and everything else, no sign. I don't see any sign of reform."<br/> <br />It is not known whether Hyon will become the head of the North Korean army, one of the world's largest.<br/> <br />Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
