A South Korean government official has confirmed that North Korea's military chief has been executed on corruption and other charges.
Army General Ri Yong Gil, the chief of staff of the Korean People's Army, was put to death last week, according to the official. The details of his death were not revealed.
The general was also charged with abuse of power and pursuing personal gain. He assumed the post in 2013 and had become one of leader Kim Jong Un's closest advisors, accompanying him on inspection tours of army units and factories. Speculation on his fate grew after he missed a meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
Ri's execution is the latest in a line of officials who have been purged by Kim Jong Un since he assumed power in 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.
In January of last year, he reportedly executed General Pyon In Son, head of operations for the army, for disagreeing with him, while in May he purged his defense minister Hyon Yong Chol, supposedly for dozing off at a rally.
