North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has appointed new military chiefs ahead of the communist state’s parliamentary elections next month.

The North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said National Defense Commission Vice Chairman Kim Yong-chun was appointed Wednesday to head the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, a post equivalent to South Korea's defense minister.

Kim is a graduate of the Kim Il-sung Military University. He replaces Kim Il-chol, and is believed to be one of the top aides to the reclusive North Korean leader.

Army General Ri Yong-ho was promoted to Chief of the General Staff, equivalent to South Korea's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ri formerly served as the commander of Pyongyang Garrison Command and oversaw a massive military parade in 2007 that marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Armed Forces.