DUSHANBE, May 13, 2015, Asia-Plus – South Korea’s news agency Yonhap reports that North Korea”s Defense Minister Hyon Yong-chol has been executed for showing disloyalty to leader Kim Jong-un.
According to Yonhap, South Korea”s National Intelligence Service told South Korean parliament that Mr. Hyon was killed on 30 April by anti-aircraft fire in front of an audience of hundreds.
Yonhap said Mr. Hyon had fallen asleep during an event attended by Kim Jong-un and had not carried out instructions.
The BBC says the news comes weeks after the reported execution of 15 senior officials. Among them were two vice ministers who had challenged Mr. Kim over his policies and members of an orchestra.
Reuters quoted South Korean lawmakers as saying on Wednesday that Hyon Yong Chol, 66, who headed the isolated country”s military, was charged with treason, including disobeying Kim and falling asleep during an event at which North Korea”s young leader was present.
