Why did the North Korean leader, Chairman Kim Jong-un, promote softliners and a nuclear weapon's expert to military? Answer: To show North Korea's strong commitment to implement the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration for enduring peace process on the Korean Peninsula and seriousness for the upcoming Kim-Trump summit on June 12. 1) "To expedite the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" (Chung Sae-hyun, former Unification Minister, South Korea). 2) No Kwang-chol, first vice minister of the Ministry of People's Armed Forces, who replaced Pak Yong-sik as defense chief, was Chief of the Second Economic Committee in North Korea who directed the production of North Korea's nuclear weapons. By promoting Mr. No, a military technocrat who has expertise in and thorough knowledge on the production of North Korea's nuclear programs, Chairman Kim seeks to demonstrate his seriousness for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. 3) By promoting moderates to the military, Kim Jong-un seeks to preempt any opposition to the historic inter-Korean peace process, especially from hardliners within the military. Take-away and policy implication! Both the United States and South Korea must read accurately Kim Jong-un's genuine intent reflected in the latest shake-up. In particular, South Korea must be ready to deal with the new moderate defense minister on upcoming Inter-Korean Military Talks and the United States also prevent neocon and hawks from sabotaging the current peace process.