Kim Jong-un ‘executes’ North Korea military chief over corruption charges

Ri Young-gil had been chief of general staff for Kim Jong-un's regime since August 2013.

Seoul

: North Korean supreme leader, Kim Jong-un ordered the execution of his military chief on on charges of -"corruption-", according to a South Korean news agency.

General Ri Young-gil had been chief of the general staff for Kim Jong-un's regime since he was appointed to the role in August 2013.

According to reports, the North Korean leader removed a number of senior officials in recent months for 'crimes' such as treason and watching South Korean soap operas.

According to the Yonhap News agency, which cited sources -"familiar with North Korean affairs-", General Ri was purged this month and also faced accusations of -"pursuing personal gains-".

In 2014, Kim Jong-un's uncle was reportedly executed by being fed to starving dogs after being accused of being -"an anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional element-".

However, reports of the military chief’s death cannot be confirmed.