North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the executions of two senior officials with an anti-aircraft gun in early August, South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo newspaper has reported.
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North Korea will “turn the stronghold of provocation into a heap of ashes through Korean-style pre-emptive nuclear strike”, in that scenario, a spokesman for the North Korea military said last week.
South Korea, which runs several intelligence organisations mainly tasked with spying on North Korea, has a mixed record on reporting developments across the border.
“He was arrested on site and intensively questioned by the state security ministry”.
On the other hand, Ri was a senior officer at the education ministry allegedly killed for dozing off in one of Kim’s meetings. Another top official dealing with propaganda affairs, Choe Hwi, was also reportedly put on “revolutionary reeducation” program.
Reports of the latest execution coincide with a series of high-profile defections from the North.
It identifies the men as Ri Yong Jin, a high-ranking official in the education ministry, and Hwang Min, the former agriculture minister.
If confirmed, the moves would suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is resuming his campaign of killings and purges in what analysts have said is a bid to consolidate his hold on power amid fears of internal turmoil.
In April past year, Hyon Yong-chol, a former defence chief, was executed after falling asleep during a military rally attended by Kim.
The ministry also reported that Kim Yong-chol, director of the United Front Department (UFD) that handles inter-Korea activity, was sent to a farm for ideological re-education for a month between June and July for an “overbearing attitude”.
North Korea executes officials with anti-aircraft gun.
Recently, Thae Yong-ho, who was considered No. 2 at the North Korean embassy in London, defected, fuelling rumours that there is no unity in the Worker’s Party.
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Kim Yong-chol was punished for his overbearing demeanour, the official added, but gave no details.
