North Korean leader Kim Jong-un replaces bodyguard, head of spy agency: Report

North Korea is likely to have replaced the head of the country’s main intelligence agency and the Supreme Guard commander entrusted with the responsibility of protecting Kim-Jong-un and his family.

According to the South Korean daily, Lt. General Rim Kwang-il was promoted as the director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, replacing Jang Kil-song last December.

The RGB, the notorious spy agency, is said to be behind many high profile attacks, cyber warfare, espionage against South Korea, Japan, and the US. It was also reportedly behind the infamous 2010 attack on the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan which killed 46 of its country's sailors.

Rim was also appointed as a member of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party in December last year.

The coveted post of the Supreme Guard commander was given to Kwak Chang-sik last April. He replaced octogenarian Army Gen. Yun Jong-rin who has been protecting the North Korean leader since 2010.

The world doesn't know much about Kwak as his name only began appearing in the state media last year. He was appointed as a member of the ruling party’s central committee last December.

According to Seoul’s Unification Ministry, there have been 23 other military personnel and several other party and government officials who have been reshuffled. It seems the new shakeup of the cabinet, with new people being given the key leadership positions, is a way to tighten Kim Jong-un's iron grip on the country's affairs.

“Last year, 80 percent of the politburo members were replaced and nine of 11 members, or 82 percent, of the State Affairs Commission were changed. This indicates the generation shifts and (Kim’s) focus on performance-based personnel reshuffle. It can be seen that Kim has consolidated power in the country as well.” the South Korean daily qouted a ministry official as saying.

However, the Ministry said that it cannot confirm Kim’s younger sister Kim Yo-jong's position, touted to be the heir to the regime.

She could be either part of the Organization and Guidance Department, Propaganda and Agitation Department or a post that has not been yet known, the ministry official stated.