North Korea’s Spy Agency Head-less

The head of North Korea’s spy agency has become the most senior victim of another round of apparent purges ordered by the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, South Korean officials have said.

Kim Won-hong, the state security minister and a close aide to the leader, was sacked in mid-January after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and human rights abuses, according to the unification ministry in Seoul, which handles cross-border issues.

It is not clear whether he has been permanently banished or ordered to undergo “re-education” with a view to being brought back into Kim Jong-un’s inner circle. His removal has not been confirmed by North Korea. more