Kim Yong-chol, who's been the regime's top nuclear negotiator and a counterpart to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has been replaced.br This is according to South Korean lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, who was briefed by the nation's intel agency.br Kim was the director of the United Front Department -- the North's intelligence body in charge of inter-Korean affairs.br But Jang Kum-chol... was tapped to replace him in mid-April.br The National Intelligence Service says Jang used to work in civic groups that interact with the South.br It's too early to tell whether Kim Yong-chol... is completely out of the regime's political picture.br The NIS has to see how Pyeongyang has re-adjusted its staff for negotiations with Seoul and Washington.