North Korean state media confirmed Monday that Gen. Pyon In Son holds two important positions within the Korean People’s Army General Staff. The June 16 KCNA report on Kim’s visit to Unit 167, a submarine unit at Mayang-do, was the first time state media officially referred to Pyon as director of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau (GSOB) and as first vice chief of the General Staff.

Conversely, current Chief of the KPA General Staff Ri Yong Gil has not appeared in state media since April 27, while Pyon has made eight appearances since then. Holding these two