Kim Rak-gyom

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kim Rak-gyom
Supreme LeaderKim Jong Un
Personal details
CitizenshipNorth Korean
NationalityKorean
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Branch/service Korean People's Army
Rank General
Kim Rak-gyom
Chosŏn'gŭl
김락겸
Revised RomanizationGim Nakgyeom
McCune–ReischauerKim Rakkyŏm

Lt. Gen. Kim Rak-gyom is the former head of North Korea's Strategic Rocket Forces.[1][2]

Along with Ju Kyu-chang, he was elected to the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Military Commission in April 2012.[3]

He is "the head of the strategic rocket forces"[4] and "in charge of ballistic missile launches".[5]

He was not present at an October 7, 2017, mass rally in Pyongyang and an October 11, 2017, celebration for the anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to a South Korean think tank, "There's little chance that Ri and Kim have been dismissed or purged because they've been praised for major achievements recently." and "It's highly likely that they were absent because they'd been given an important assignment."[5]

Kim was reportedly replaced by Kim Jong-gil in October 2020.[6]

References

  1. ^ Song, Sang-ho (June 14, 2012). "North Korea Names New Strategic Rocket Commander". The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "KPA Brass' Promotion and Demotion". North Korea Leadership Watch. June 16, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "N.Korea Appoints New Head of Missile Force". The Chosun Ilbo. June 15, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  4. ^ "Mysterious Absence of North Korea's 'Rocket Men' Raises New Nuke, Missile Fears". Fox News. October 12, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Kim, Myong-song (October 11, 2017). "N.Korea's Key 'Rocket Men' Absent from Major Events". Chosun. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  6. ^ Shim, Elizabeth (October 14, 2020). "North Korea Promotes Unknown General to Oversee Missile Development". UPI. Retrieved March 23, 2022. The statement from KCTV is the first confirmation North Korea has replaced Strategic Force chief Kim Rak Gyom.


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