PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has appointed Kim Tok-hun as the new premier of the country, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday.

Kim Tok-hun was appointed to replace Kim Jae-ryong after a decree was made public on Thursday at a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, which was chaired by Kim Jong-un, the report said.

Kim Tok-hun was parliamentary budget committee chief before the new appointment.

The report did not explain the reason for the replacement.