N. Korea names ruling Kim dynasty associate as Prime MinisterApril 1, 2013 - 17:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea's parliament named former premier Pak Pong-ju, who was sacked in 2007 for failing to implement economic reforms, as its prime minister on Monday, April 1 in a move that cements the grip of the ruling Kim dynasty on key posts in the country, Reuters reported. Pak, believed to be in his 70s, is a key ally of Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of the isolated state's ruler Kim Jong-un, and worked for Jang's wife, Kim's aunt Kim Kyong-hui. "At the session, Deputy Choe Yong-rim was recalled from the post of premier of the DPRK Cabinet and Deputy Pak Pong-ju was elected premier of the DPRK Cabinet," state news agency KCNA said, referring to a meeting of the rubber-stamp parliament. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Pak was named to the powerful ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee political bureau on Sunday and his re-emergence as premier marks a further move by North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un to cement power. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Armenia PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. |