North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was accompanied by a four-star Army general, presumed to be the country's new defense chief, on his visit to a military event, according to Pyongyang's media Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency listed top military figures who were in attendance with Kim at the military's art performance, naming Pak Yong-sik just after Hwang Pyong-so, director of the general political department of the Korean People's Army.

The report adds ammunition to speculation that Pak might have been promoted to the post of defense chief, replacing Hyon Yong-chol, who is believed to have been purged, experts said.

South Korea's spy agency said last month Hyon was apparently purged due to his disloyalty to Kim and he even might have been executed with an anti-aircraft gun.

On June 5, the North's Korean Central Television aired documentary footage showing Pak saluting the North's young leader at an event in late May in another indication that he may have been named the new defense minister.

Still, the secretive nation has not made any announcement on the fate of Hyon or his successor.

There has been controversy over the credibility of the National Intelligence Agency's findings as Hyon appeared in TV documentary footage even after his alleged purge. Usually, North Korea immediately removes records and appearances of purged officials from all its newspapers and TV footage.

Pak, who was promoted to his current post from a three-star general in April, has been often seen in Kim's "field guidances."

He also handled personnel affairs under the KPA's general political department with a title equivalent to vice minister.

If confirmed, Pak would be Kim's sixth known choice for defense minister since the young leader seized power in late 2011 following the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il.

Experts here said it is highly likely that Pak has become the North's new defense minister.

"The fact that (the North's media) listed Pak before Army Gen. Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, implies a change in post," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute in Seoul.

The Unification Ministry was cautious, saying the North has not officially confirmed Pak's promotion to defense chief.

"It is hard to verify it as the North has not officially named Pak as the arms force minister," Lim Byeong-cheol, ministry spokesman, told a press conference. "But we are aware of media reports that there is a high probability over his appointment." (Yonhap)