North Korea’s year-end plenum approved a surprisingly large reshuffle of officials, promoting more than 40 people across the military, economic institutions, prosecutors’ office and the party’s discipline department.

Three top officials — Pak Jong Chon, Jon Hyon Chol and Ju Chang Il — notably returned to their posts after short demotions of six months to a year. Their rehabilitation demonstrates a marked shift in how the DPRK punishes and criticizes officials, as the regime increasingly favors short-term discipline rather than permanent penalties.

The wide range of reshuffles underscored efforts to implement new economic and military policies