North Korean state media on Wednesday reported that there was a “great crisis” caused by senior officials’ negligence in implementing decisions made by the ruling party, which was described as an issue related to “prolonged” COVID-19 prevention efforts.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un apparently demoted several top officials, including Korean People’s Army Marshals Ri Pyong Chol and Pak Jong Chon -- previously rising stars and two of Kim’s closest confidants. Choe Sang Gon, the party Central Committee secretary and department director in charge of science and education, has likely been removed as well.