Moscow, Jul 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been accorded the title of Marshal of the Korean People's Army, the country's top-most military rank, state-run news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

"A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK (North Korea) to Kim Jong-un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army," the report said.

The appointment follows a recent reshuffle in the North Korean army, in which military chief Ri Yong Ho, a close ally of Kim Jong-un, was relieved of all his posts Monday because of illness.

A day after Ri's removal, a little-known general, Hyon Yong-Chol, replaced him.

Quoting a professor from the Inje University in South Korea, the country's News-1 TV channel said Kim Jong-un, who inherited the post from his late father Kim Jong-il, seems to be carrying out massive military reforms to cement his power through the army.

The young leader, believed to be in his late 20s, came to power in December 2011 after his father Kim Jong-il's death.