More information needed to analyze possible change in N.K. defense ministry: Seoul

South Korea's unification ministry on Monday said more information is needed to analyze whether control of North Korea's defense ministry has changed following the latest overhaul of cabinet organizations.

The Ministry of People's Armed Forces, the North's defense ministry, was previously placed under the control of the powerful National Defense Commission before the North's parliament replaced the NDC with a newly created state apparatus named the State Affairs Commission last week.

On Thursday, the North's state media called Pak Yong-sik, minister of the armed forces, by a different title, indicating a change in the ministry's status.

Jeong Joon-hee, spokesman at the Ministry of Unification, said that more understanding is required to properly analyze whether the North's defense ministry was overhauled as a cabinet organ or it remains under the SAC's control with a new name.

The NDC mainly focused on defense and security-related affairs, but the role of the new commission was expanded to other sectors, including unification, diplomacy and the economy as a key decision-making body, according to Seoul's unification ministry.

Kim Jung-il (Center) inspects Korean People's Army Unit 1105. (Yonhap)

The NDC served as a powerful organization under the regime of Kim Jong-il, who advocated a military first, or "songun," policy.

He is the late father of the North's current leader Kim Jong-un.

Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, said that the North's media reports signaled that the country's defense ministry seemed to have moved to the cabinet's wing.

"The move appears to be aimed at winning the military's support for the government's plan to boost the economy," Cheong said. "The military's clout will relatively weaken, and the influence of the ruling party and the Cabinet is likely to be further bolstered." (Yonhap)