South Korea has confirmed the North’s Vice Premier has been executed and two other senior officials have been sent for so-called “re-education”.
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Kim Yong-jin died by firing squad in July after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s authoritarian administration condemned the 63-year-old for “anti-revolutionary” behavior in June, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
The rumoured executions would, however, fit into a pattern of purges Kim has ordered against perceived enemies since he became the leader in late 2011 after the death of his father Kim Jong-il.
JoongAng Ilbo, a south Korean newspaper, first reported on Tuesday top figures had been punished, but identified the education official by a different name.
Kim Jong Un has allegedly had two men put to death using a method he’s been said to have used before: by anti-aircraft gun.
Kim Yong Chol, the head of North Korea’s United Front Department, which handles inter-Korean relations, underwent “revolutionary measures”, for his overbearing demeanor, Jeong told reporters.
State news agency KCNA had announced that Jang admitted to attempting to overthrow the government and was therefore executed.
JoongAng Daily has speculated these latest alleged executions could be “interpreted as a new reign of terror in North Korea, prompted by a series of defections by senior officials”.
On Mr Hwang, the source said: “I understand he was executed because policy proposals he had pushed for were seen as a direct challenge to the Kim Jong-Un leadership”. The spymaster, who was reinstated this month, is likely to be tempted to prove his loyalty by committing provocative acts against the South, said the official. The report said he was arrested on site and later executed after a probe uncovered corruption and other malfeasance.
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Earlier this month, Thae Yong Ho, the deputy to North Korea’s ambassador to Britain, defected with his family from London to South Korea. A former defense minister is also believed to have been executed for treason, according to Seoul.
