North Korea’s massive military parade on April 25 revealed the surprising reinstatement of Ri Pyong Chol as a top official in both the ruling Workers’ Party and the Korean People’s Army (KPA). He had been demoted in June last year following an unspecified “grave incident,” and hadn’t been seen for over six months, but now appears to be fully rehabilitated. Ri now occupies a position just below the vice-chair of the Central Military Commission of the party. 

With Ri back as KPA Marshal, North Korea returns to its usual system of two immediate military deputies