N. Korea appoints new members to defense commission

North Korea appointed new members to the country's top military commission, the country's media

reported Saturday, in a move widely seen as an attempt to solidify Kim Jung-un's control over the country.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Choe Rong-hae, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Korea People's Army Gen. Kim Won Hong were elected

to the National Defense Commission (NDC), along with Ri Myong-su, the head of public security. Four other officials were named as members of the powerful commission. The move was made at the fifth session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

The new appointments come shortly after Kim Jung-un, the grandson of North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung, was named first chairman of the NDC. The younger Kim has been moving to consolidate power since he took over the helm of the communist country following the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il in December.

Besides the new appointments, the KCNA said stalwart supporters and relatives of Kim Jung-un have retained their vice chairman positions in the NDC.

Pyongyang, in addition, announced new appointments for its parliament, cabinet and regional governments. (Yonhap News)