North Korea replaced its prime minister Wednesday during a session of its rubber-stamp parliament, the country's state media reported. Pak Pong Ju was relieved of the premiership and replaced by Kim Yong Il, the official Korean Central News Agency reported, without giving any reasons for the shuffle, according to AP. Pak, previously the minister of chemical industries, had been appointed in 2003 in a move that was believed to indicate the North's attempts to revive its moribund economy. His replacement Kim had served as transport minister since 2003. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il attended the meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly, KCNA reported, but apparently did not make any comments there. -- SPA
