Kim Rak-gyom

Lt. Gen. Kim Rak-gyom was the head of North Korea's Strategic Rocket Forces.[1][2]

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kim Rak-gyom
Supreme LeaderKim Jong-un
Personal details
CitizenshipNorth Korean
NationalityKorean
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Branch/service Korean People's Army
Rank General
Kim Rak-gyom
Chosŏn'gŭl
김락겸
Revised RomanizationGim Nakgyeom
McCune–ReischauerKim Rakkyŏm

Along with Ju Kyu-chang, he was elected to the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Military Commission in April 2012.[3]

He is "the head of the strategic rocket forces"[4] and "in charge of ballistic missile launches".[5]

He was not present at an October 7, 2017 mass rally in Pyongyang and an October 11, 2017 celebration for the anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to a South Korean think tank, "There's little chance that Ri and Kim have been dismissed or purged because they've been praised for major achievements recently." and "It's highly likely that they were absent because they'd been given an important assignment."[5]

Kim was reportedly replaced by Kim Jong Gil in October 2020.[6]

References
  1. Korea Herald, "North Korea names new strategic rocket commander" 14 June 2012
  2. "KPA Brass’ Promotion and Demotion", North Korea Leadership Watch
  3. "N.Korea Appoints New Head of Missile Force". The Chosun Ilbo. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  4. "Mysterious absence of North Korea's 'rocket men' raises new nuke, missile fears". MSN/Fox News. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  5. Kim Myong-song (11 October 2017). "N.Korea's Key 'Rocket Men' Absent from Major Events". Chosun. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  6. Shim, Elizabeth (October 14, 2020). "North Korea promotes unknown general to oversee missile development". UPI. The statement from KCTV is the first confirmation North Korea has replaced Strategic Force chief Kim Rak Gyom.


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