Kim
made the comments at a meeting of the Central Military
Commission which discussed plans for countermeasures to deter
North Korea's enemies, which it did not name, the report said.
The country's top general, Chief of the General Staff Pak Su Il
was "dismissed," KCNA reported, without elaborating. He had
served in his role for about seven months.
Pak was replaced by General Ri Yong Gil, who previously served
as the country's defence minister, as well as the top commander
of its conventional troops.
Ri also previously served as the army chief of staff. When he
was replaced in 2016 his sacking and subsequent absence from
official events sparked reports in South Korea that he had been
executed. He reappeared a few months later, when he was named to
another senior post.
Kim also set a target for the expansion of weapons production
capacity, the report said, without providing details. Last week
he visited weapons factories where he called for more missile
engines, artillery and other weapons to be built.
Photos released by KCNA showed Kim pointing at Seoul and areas
surrounding the South Korean capital on a map.
The United States has accused North Korea of providing arms to
Russia for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells,
rockets and missiles. Russia and North Korea have denied those
claims.
Kim also called for the military to conduct drills with the
country's latest weapons and equipment to keep its forces ready
for combat, the report said.
North Korea is set to stage a militia parade on Sept. 9, marking
the 75th anniversary of the Day of the Foundation of the
Republic. North Korea has a number of paramilitary groups it
uses to bolster its military forces.
The U.S. and South Korea are scheduled to hold military drills
between Aug. 21 and 24, which the North sees as a threat to its
security.
(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Josh Smith in Seoul; Editing by
Stephen Coates)
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