Hyon Yong Chol was awarded the title of vice marshal of the Korean People's Army (KPA), reported KCNA, the official news agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), early Tuesday.

According to the report, the decision to award the title was made by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the National Defense Commission of the DPRK on Monday. Hyon was a general of the KPA before the promotion.

On Monday, Pyongyang announced that KPA Vice Marshal and Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho had been "relieved of all posts due to his illness" at a Sunday meeting of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee.

Before the announcement, Ri was also a member of the WPK Central Committee's Political Bureau and its Presidium, as well as vice chairman of the WPK's Central Military Commission.