북한이 18일 낮 12시 ‘중대보도’를 할 것이라고 조선중앙방송과 평양방송이 전했다.

AFP 통신 등 외신은 이와 관련해 최근 해임된 리영호 북한 인민군 총참모장 등 군부의 움직임이 있었음을 지적했다.

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North Korea to make 'important' announcement


North Korea said Wednesday an "important" announcement was imminent, after the communist state sacked its military chief in a surprise move.

"An important report will be issued in the DPRK at 12:00 (0300 GMT) Wednesday," the state-run Korean Central News Agency said in a brief statement.

Pyongyang said Monday its army chief Ri Yong-Ho had been relieved from all his posts due to illness, in a move interpreted by analysts as signalling a bid by leader Kim Jong-Un to tighten his grip on the powerful military. (AFP)