North Korea's top security official demoted and sacked

By Park Sae-jin Posted : February 3, 2017, 13:03 Updated : February 3, 2017, 13:03

[Yonhap News Photo]


The chief of North Korea's top state security body has been demoted and sacked for alleged corruption and abuse of power, triggering speculation about a possible power struggle among the confidants of leader Kim Jong-un, the South's unification ministry said Friday.

Kim Won-hong, 72, was fired as head of the Ministry of State Security in mid-January with his military rank demoted from full general to major general following a special audit by the ruling Workers Party, unification ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee told reporters.

The spokesman suggested more people could be punished as Kim's agency is under scrutiny by party inspectors over alleged abuse of power, corruption and human rights violations such as torture.

The sacked official was among a gang of power holders trusted by Kim Jong-un who has been accused of resorting to the reign of terror to consolidate his power since he took office in late 2011 in a dynastic third-generation transfer of power.

There have been sporadic reports of purges and executions involving senior party, government and military officials in North Korea. The most notorious case was reported in December 2013, when the leader executed his influential uncle Jang Song-taek on charges including treason and corruption.

Kim's repressive dictatorship has led to the defection of some North Korean elites that Seoul says points to signs of cracks in the North's regime.

Experts say Kim Won-hong, who became the head of the security body in April 2012, is known to have led a political campaign against Jang and his associates. Jeong speculated that he is suspected of having lost a struggle for power.

"The dismissal of Kim Won-hon, a key figure in supporting the reign of terror, could lead to growing instability in the regime," ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee told reporters, adding North Korean elites would become more agitated.

The security ministry has been used by North Korean leaders to prop up their power and eliminate so-called reactionary elements in society and political opponents. An unnamed government official told Yonhap News Agency that an unspecified number of officials from the North Korean body were executed.

"There is growing public discontent and fear over the leader's repressive rule. The dismissal appears to be aimed at easing complaints from North Koreans and showing that the leader cares for his people," the official was quoted as saying.
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