The source said Hwang is understood to have been executed because he pushed for policy proposals that were seen as a direct challenge to Kim’s leadership, and Ri angered Kim after he fell asleep during a meeting.
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Further, according to Seoul’s unification ministry spokesperson Jeong Joon-Hee, two other senior officials had to undergo re-education sessions.
North Korea has announced its Vice Premier for Education, Kim Yong-Jin, was executed by firing squad last month.
The firing squad execution reportedly happened in July.
After accidentally dozing off, Ri was taken into custody and interrogated where security agents found evidence of his disloyalty and disrespect towards Kim. However, he identified the instruction official by an alternate name.
North Korea has executed its vice premier for education, Kim Yong Jin, and has reprimanded two other high-ranking officials, South Korea said on Wednesday (Aug 31).
“Kim Yong Chol, head of the Workers” Party United Front Department, was ordered to be “revolutionised”.
On top of this unfortunate situation for North Korea citizens, the reign of terror of party officials who have been executed under Kim Jong-Un’s rule has been reported to be at more than 100 officials.
And just a year ago, Kim reportedly had a former defense chief put to death for taking a nap during a military rally.
“The husband of [former North Korean leader] Kim Jong-il’s only sister, Jang Song-taek had accumulated broad influence, serving among other things as vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, the controller of Pyongyang’s foreign exchange resources, and the regime’s chief contact with China”, Nathan writes.
Pyongyang has rarely confirmed the execution of its officials, although state media reported on the death of Kim’s uncle.
There are additional reports that at least seven North Korean diplomats have fled overseas missions this year alone, including the third secretary at the embassy in Moscow.
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Kim Yong-chol, who took the helm of the UFD after predecessor Kim Yang-gon was killed in a vehicle accident in December, was temporarily purged by being sent to a farm in the countryside to undergo ideological reeducation for a high-handed attitude at his job, the official said.
