The Sport of Execution in North-Korea
A Day under the Rule (Reign) of Kim Jong-Un
By Sheree McManus
North Korea’s army chief of staff, Ri Yong-Gil, also known as the Chief of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) has been executed. His name was conspicuously missing from the recent state media reports of a recent major party meeting and celebrations in light of North Korea’s recent nuclear test and long range rocket launch.
Ri was often seen accompanying Kim Jong-Un at various inspections, but South Korean media reported Wednesday, that the leader had been executed. This execution is the latest in what could be called a “series of purges and execution of top officials by leader Kim Jong-Un.”
According to the Yonhap, South Korea’s largest news agency and a source close to North Korean sources, the Ri Yong-Gil, Chief of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) General Staff, was executed earlier this month for forming a political faction and corruption.
One implication of Ri’s execution is that, as stated by one Yonhap source …the execution… suggests that Kim Jong-Un still feels insecure about his grip on the country’s powerful military, and it shows that Kim’s reign of terror still persists.
According to Yonhap, May of last year, Kim had his defense chief, Hyon Yong-Chol, executed — reportedly with the use of an anti-aircraft gun. Although, Hyon’s fate was never confirmed by Pyongyang — he has neither been heard from nor seen since that time. Some analysts have suggested he was purged and imprisoned.
Moreover, some reports have been confirmed and others have not been confirmed concerning the purges, executions and disappearances of those under the young Kim’s leadership. These actions have been ongoing since the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011. Furthermore, since his rule a large number of senior officials, especially military cadres, have been removed or demoted as the young leader has sought to solidify his control over the powerful army.
Perhaps the most high-profile case concerning execution surrounded the death of Kim’s influential uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed in December 2013 for charges, some of which were based on treason and corruption.
Sources:
Barbara Demick and Jung-Yoon Choi. “North Korea reportedly executes Kim Jong Un’s ‘scum’ Uncle.” Picture of Uncle, December 12, 2013,
“North Korea’s Army Chief of Staff executed” AFP, February 10, 2016,
Other Articles by Homeland XYZ:
- The U.S. Drone Court: Are U.S. Citizens Constitutionally Protected From Targeted Drone Attacks?
- Body Cameras — Officer, Watch Your P’s and Q’s
- How to Defeat ISIS: Death by Chocolate
- Is It Time to Change Sentencing Rules?
- The Autonomous Motor Vehicle — Friend or Foe?
- Is Transportation Passenger Safety a Homeland Security Issue?
- SCAPEGOAT
- North Korea in Space!?
Follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and join our blog!
