Seol: North Korea’s Defence Minister Hyon Yong-chol has been executed for showing disloyalty to Kim Jong-il, South Korea’s spy agency has told parliament, reported by BBC.
MPs were told Hyon was killed on 30 April by anti-aircraft fire in front of an audience of hundreds, the Yonhap news agency reports. It said that Hyon had fallen asleep during an event attended by Kim Jong-un and had not carried out instructions.
Reports from North Korea are impossible to independently confirm. Analysts told the BBC that while reshuffling of officials happens often in North Korea, the execution of a figure so close to Kim was surprising and cause for concern about the country’s stability. Analysis site NK News said that Hyon had last appeared in state media a day before the alleged execution date.
