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Choe Ryong-hae, the right-hand man of "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong-un, replaces Kim Yong-nam, 91, who has been in the position for nearly 20 years. An appointment made at a meeting Thursday of the Supreme People's Assembly, the North Korean Parliament.
With our correspondent in Seoul, Frédéric Ojardias
In North Korea, the role of head of state is largely honorary and symbolic: it is indeed Kim Jong-un who has absolute power. This appointment is accompanied by a series of reorganizations at the head of the regime, sign that Kim strengthens his power.
Choe Ryong-hae is a "red prince", the son of a former comrade to Kim Il-sung, the founder of the regime. He is thus very close to the reigning family of Kim, which did not prevent him, during his long career, to know a purge and to be sent to "reeducation".
Choe Ryong-hae then became one of the right arms of current leader Kim Jong-un. Last year, he was hit by sanctions by the United States, who accuse him of human rights violations. His role as head of state will be essentially honorary: his predecessor, Kim Yong-nam, represented his country on diplomatic visits abroad for twenty years.
North Korea has also announced that it is replacing its prime minister. Finally, several senior officials involved in recent negotiations with the United States were elected to the all-powerful State Affairs Commission.
These reshuffles seem to indicate that Kim Jong-un continues to strengthen his power internally. A "supreme leader" who this week has called for more self-sufficiency in response to international sanctions.