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North Korea 'executes chief of staff Ri Yong-gil', according to reports North Korea 'executes chief of staff Ri Yong-gil', say reports
(about 9 hours later)
North Korea’s army chief of staff has been executed, South Korean media reported, in what would be the latest in a series of purges and executions of top officials by leader Kim Jong-un.North Korea’s army chief of staff has been executed, South Korean media reported, in what would be the latest in a series of purges and executions of top officials by leader Kim Jong-un.
Ri Yong-gil was executed this month for forming a political faction and corruption, Yonhap news agency said.Ri Yong-gil was executed this month for forming a political faction and corruption, Yonhap news agency said.
The report comes at a time of extreme tensions on the divided Korean peninsula, following the North’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.The report comes at a time of extreme tensions on the divided Korean peninsula, following the North’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.
Ri was often seen accompanying Kim Jong-un on inspection tours, but his name was conspicuously missing from state media reports of a recent major party meeting and celebrations over Sunday’s rocket launch.Ri was often seen accompanying Kim Jong-un on inspection tours, but his name was conspicuously missing from state media reports of a recent major party meeting and celebrations over Sunday’s rocket launch.
“The execution … suggests that Kim Jong-un still feels insecure about his grip on the country’s powerful military,” Yonhap quoted a source as saying.“The execution … suggests that Kim Jong-un still feels insecure about his grip on the country’s powerful military,” Yonhap quoted a source as saying.
The National Intelligence Service in Seoul declined to comment on the report, which could not be independently verified.The National Intelligence Service in Seoul declined to comment on the report, which could not be independently verified.
In May last year, the NIS said Kim had his defence chief, Hyon Yong-chol, killed – reportedly with the use of an anti-aircraft gun.In May last year, the NIS said Kim had his defence chief, Hyon Yong-chol, killed – reportedly with the use of an anti-aircraft gun.
Hyon’s fate was never confirmed by Pyongyang but he has never been seen or heard of since.Hyon’s fate was never confirmed by Pyongyang but he has never been seen or heard of since.