N. Korea replaces construction minister

SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea replaced its minister in charge of land development and construction affairs, a state media report confirmed Monday. The replacement was learned of when the North's state radio, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS), reported that Kim Sok-jun, in his capacity as state construction minister, accompanied the North's premier during his recent visit to China. Kim appears to have replaced Pae Tal-jun, who held the post previously. Little is known about Kim except that he served as the head of the North's semi-official Mount Paekdu Architectural Research Institute last year. Kim's predecessor Pae has not been seen in public since the KCBS reported that he attended a ceremony to mark the completion of a project to expand a road in South Hamkyong Province on June 17. The ministry, which is similar to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, oversees the North's land development and construction affairs. Experts say the replacement may be aimed at reprimanding the former minister for slow progress in the construction of 100,000 new houses in Pyongyang ahead of 2012, the North Korea-set target year for building a strong and prosperous state, or be part of a generational change ahead of the power succession of Kim Jong-un, the third and youngest son of leader Kim Jong-il