Kim Jong-un had the two top officials executed over the poor running of missile test site
(Picture: EPA/KCNA)
The latest executive was executed after he dared to take responsibility for
setbacks at the Punggye-ri nuclear base which led to the date of a rocket launch being
pushed back.
Five days earlier, a high-ranking official once described as the ‘second most powerful
man in North Korea’ disappeared from public life. This gave rise to speculation that he too
may have been liquidated.
General Hwang Pyong-so once held the most senior military position in the hermit state as
a Vice-Marshall after the supreme leader.
The most recent victim was said to be the director of Bureau 131, in charge of construction
at Kim’s missile and nuclear bases.
The Punggye-ri nuclear base (Picture: Getty)
Referring to the latest victim of the leader's purge, a source told Japanese paper Asahi
Shimbun: ‘It seems he took the blame as the prolonged mining of the nuclear facility
pushed back the test date to September when it was initially set for spring.’
Shortly before the execution, the despot visited the significant Mount Paektu, seen as
mystical and situated not far from North Korea’s nuclear testing facilities, where Kim goes
to make important decisions.
The so-called dear leader is said to have been reshaping North Korea’s ruling elite in
recent months as he fears the military is becoming too powerful.
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