New | North Korea names new coal minister after purged uncle's mineral grab

North Korea has replaced its coal minister, apparently after the shock execution of leader Kim Jong-Un’s uncle, who had been accused of attempting to take control of the country’s lucrative coal export business.

Pyongyang’s state-run Korean Central News Agency introduced Mun Myong-hak as “Minister of Coal Industry” as it was reporting on the 30th anniversary of the Pukchang Area Coal-Mining Complex in the western province of South Phyongan on Monday.

The last time the North’s coal minister was mentioned in the country’s state media was a year ago, when Rim Nam-su was in office.

The shock purge and execution of Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle and political regent to young leader Kim Jong-un, was sparked by his attempts to take over the North’s coal export industry, South Korea’s spy chief Nam Jae-joon said last month.

The moves by Jang contributed to the North’s economic troubles, Kim Jong-ha, chief secretary of the secretariat of the cabinet said last month in an interview with the , a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan.

The report also indirectly confirmed Kim Jong-ha had replaced Kim Yong-ho following Jang’s downfall.

It is not known what became of Kim Yong-ho or Rim.