統一部
On 16 July 2012, North Korean state media reported Ri Yong-ho had been relieved of all his Party duties, namely his Presidium Committee membership, Politburo membership, and Party Central Military Commission vice-chairmanship, stating this move was due to unspecified illness. A spokesman for the South Korean Ministry of Unification said the move was "very unusual". The meeting at which his removal was announced was attended by the entire Presidium, Politburo members and candidate members, making ill health seem implausibly minor.