A top North Korean general has mysteriously vanished from public view, sparking speculation about a possible power reshuffle within the secretive regime's military leadership.
General Ri Yong-gil, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army and one of the most visible figures in Kim Jong-un’s military apparatus, has not been seen in state media for more than five weeks. His absence is especially striking given his high-profile role in recent weapons tests and defense meetings.
The sudden disappearance comes amid reports of internal tension within the armed forces following a string of failed missile launches earlier this spring. Observers say the silence surrounding Ri’s status could signal either disciplinary action, a demotion, or even political purging — all of which are not uncommon in North Korean elite circles.
“Ri Yong-gil has been central to North Korea’s military posture. His disappearance may reflect dissatisfaction at the highest levels or an effort by Kim to reassert control,” said Choi Ji-won, a senior fellow at the Korean Institute for National Strategy.
Adding to the intrigue, North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper recently published images of a high-level military meeting where Ri was notably absent. His name was also omitted from a list of attendees released by state media — a subtle but telling sign in North Korean political culture.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on Wednesday that it is investigating Ri’s whereabouts. An unnamed official stated that while no concrete evidence of a purge has been confirmed, "a reshuffle within the General Staff appears likely."
This isn’t the first time Ri has disappeared. In 2016, he was reported to have been executed, only to reappear later in a newly promoted role. The incident highlighted the volatility of North Korea’s internal power dynamics and the regime’s penchant for abrupt personnel changes.
Analysts say Kim Jong-un has historically rotated or purged senior officials to prevent any consolidation of power outside his own family. Some believe the current shakeup — if confirmed — may be tied to ongoing preparations for further weapons tests or internal dissatisfaction with economic performance and sanctions pressure.
If Ri has been removed or sidelined, the question remains: who will take his place, and what will it mean for North Korea’s military strategy?
For now, Pyongyang remains silent. But in a regime where every public appearance is choreographed and every absence is noted, the vanishing of a key general is never without significance.