Seoul – North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un has fired the country’s Minister for State Security, the South Korean government said Friday.
Kim Won Hong, 72, was fired for corruption and abuse of power committed by his ministry, according to Seoul’s unification ministry.
The sacked minister was a close aide of Kim Jong Un and assisted in implementing the young leader’s “reign of terror,” a ministry spokesman said.
“Instability in the North Korean regime is likely to increase as the elite members may become agitated and the regime’s control over ordinary North Koreans could weaken,” the spokesman added.
No North Korean source confirmed that the sacking had taken place and it is difficult to confirm reports out of the reclusive country.
Since taking power in 2011, Kim Jong Un has initiated a number of political purges in what Seoul describes as a “reign of terror.”
