▲ North Korean Supreme People's Assembly Vice Chairman Ri Son-gwon
Speculation has emerged that Ri Son-gwon, vice chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) who drew criticism in 2018 for asking South Korean business leaders if "cold noodles go down your throat," may have stepped down from his position.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported yesterday (November 5) that the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 15th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly was held at the assembly hall in Pyongyang.
KCNA stated that Kim Hyong-sik, vice chairman of the SPA Standing Committee, presided over the meeting, reporting that "the plenary meeting recalled a vice chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly and a member of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly."
In March, North Korea elected Kim Hyong-sik and Ri Son-gwon as vice chairmen of the SPA and vice chairmen of its Standing Committee during the 1st session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly.
Because Kim Hyong-sik presided over the meeting, the recalled vice chairman is widely presumed to be Ri Son-gwon.
Ri, a former military officer, is a prominent North Korean figure in inter-Korean affairs who served as chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and director of the Workers' Party's United Front Department, frequently drawing attention for hardline remarks during inter-Korean dialogues.
It remains unconfirmed whether Ri's dismissal is part of a retirement process given that he is over 60 years old, or a disciplinary measure.
Under North Korea's constitution, the Supreme People's Assembly is the highest organ of state power, equivalent to South Korea's National Assembly.
It possesses not only legislative authority but also the power to organize the executive and judicial branches.
(Photo: Korean Central Television screen, Yonhap News)
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