NKorea says powerful army chief and key adviser to leader relieved of posts because of illness

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea says it has relieved its military chief, a key adviser to new leader Kim Jong Un, from all posts because of illness.

North Korea’s state media said Monday that the decision to relieve Ri Yong Ho of duties was made at a Workers’ Party meeting Sunday.

Ri was vice marshal of the Korean People’s Army and the military’s General Staff chief. The “military first” policy of Kim’s predecessor Kim Jong Il has made the army more powerful.

It was not clear who would succeed Ri. North Korea didn’t elaborate on Ri’s condition or future.

Animosity on the Korean Peninsula has deepened since a North Korean rocket launch in April that the U.N. called a cover for banned missile testing. North Korea says it was a satellite launch.