North Korea announced Wednesday that it had given the title of marshal of the army to its leader Kim Jong-un, the latest in a string of recent moves to reconfigure the top ranks of the military, state media said. 

Kim, who is already referred to as "supreme commander" of the Korean People's Army, has been awarded the title of marshal by the reclusive regime's most powerful political and military bodies, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The announcement follows the removal of the army chief, Ri Yong Ho, from all his government posts on Sunday, a decision KCNA said had been motivated by his "illness." A day later, North Korea promoted a little known general to the rank of vice marshal. 
Analysts have speculated that the moves may show signs of a struggle within the regime between the military and civilian elites as Kim seeks to consolidate power after succeeding his father, Kim Jong Il, who died in December.
Marshal is the highest military rank and would cement Kim's control over the army, according to reports. The title of marshal was previously held by the late Kim, who received a posthumous promotion to the rank of generalissimo in February, when the country marked his 70th birthday.
 

Source: BNA