A South Korean newspaper has reported that Pyeongyang is carrying out a purge for the deadlock in denuclearization talks with the U.S. following the Hanoi summit... as part of efforts to divert attention away from internal turmoil and discontent.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
Citing an unnamed North Korean source... the South Korea-based Chosun Ilbo daily reported Friday... that North Korea has executed its special representative for U.S. affairs Kim Hyok-chol and four senior foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations during the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
They were reportedly executed at the Mirim Air Base in Pyeongyang in March... after being charged with spying for the U.S.
The newspaper also reported that Kim Yong-chol , who had been U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's counterpart in the denuclearization talks,... was relieved from his duty and subjected to forced labor and ideological education in Jagang-do Province.
Kim Yong-chol was replaced as director of the United Front Department in the reshuffle in April.
The source added the director of the United Front Department's strategy office Kim Song-hye , who carried out working-level negotiations with Kim Hyok-chol has been sent to a political prison camp.
Meanwhile, Shin Hye-yong , who was the interpreter for the Hanoi summit has also reportedly been detained in a political prison camp for undermining the authority of Kim Jong-un by making a critical interpretation mistake.
Kim Yo-jong , the sister of Kim Jong-un... who hasn't been spotted after the Hanoi summit, is also said to be lying low.
The North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary on Thursday that "acting like one is revering the Leader in front of others but dreaming of something else when one turns around, is an anti-party, anti-revolutionary act that has thrown away the moral fidelity toward the Leader, and such people will not avoid the stern judgment of the revolution.”
It added "there are traitors and turncoats who only memorize words of loyalty toward the Leader and even change according to the trend of the time."
The Chosun Ilbo said it's the first time since the execution of Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek in 2013... that expressions hinting at purging such as "anti-party, anti-revolutionary" and "stern judgment" have appeared in the Rodong Sinmun.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.
