Reports say South Korea's spy agency has told parliament that the North Korean defense minister, Hyon Yong-chol, has been executed. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said that MPs were told Hyon had been killed on April 30 by anti-aircraft fire.He is thought to have been accused of showing disloyalty to Kim Jong Un. There were few details of the alleged execution, but Yonhap, quoting a national intelligence agency briefing, said Hyon had fallen asleep during an event attended by Kim Jong Un.
Hyon became military chief in 2012 following a purge of officials. He is thought to have been a general since 2010, but little is known about him.
Hyon served on the committee for late leader Kim Jong Il's funeral in December 2011, indicating an influential role within North Korea's ruling elite.