We begin with some big news coming out of North Korea.
North Korea′s Defense Minister Hyon Yong－cho…l was executed last month… for disrespecting leader Kim Jong－un after having exhibited inappropriate behavior that angered the young leader.
Our Han Da－eun takes a closer look at the execution and the possible reasons behind it. Insubordination to Kim Jong－un and neglect of duty.
These appear to be the reasons why North Korea′s Defense Minister Hyon Yong－chol was executed in public.
Seoul′s National Intelligence Service， in a confidential report to the parliament， said Tuesday… that Hyon was shot dead with an anti－aircraft gun at a military school on April 30th， with hundreds of soldiers watching.
The spy agency said Hyon had frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with Kim Jong－un′s leadership… and neglected to follow Kim′s orders on several occasions.
He even dozed off during a speech given by Kim at a large－scale military gathering，… a behavior that is intolerable in a state like North Korea.
Still， the execution comes as a surprise.
Hyon， a four－star general， had maintained his status as the number－two man in the North Korean military until very recently.
In addition， he had paid tribute to the late leader Kim Jong－il and the country′s founder Kim Il－sung， most recently at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun last month， alongside top military officials… and attended a series of events hosted by the Korean People′s Army.
Some pundits assert that the execution may be linked to Hyon′s recent visit to Russia.
Hyon visited Moscow to make arrangements for Kim Jong－un to attend Russia′s Victory Day ceremony，… which would have been Kim′s first trip abroad since taking power four years ago.
But it was an appointment the young leader didn′t keep， and there is rising speculation that it may have been because Hyon failed in his diplomatic mission there.
The spy agency says it is now looking closely into the political situation in Pyongyang… and taking all possibilities into account.
Han Da－eun， Arirang News.