North Korean official appears amid rumors of being 'executed'

Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Head of the United Front Department Kim Yong-chol (right). Photo: Reuters

SheetChosun IlboOn May 31, citing an anonymous source, Kim Yong-chol was being subjected to forced labor in Jagang Province, North Korea. However, on June 3, KCNA reported that he was present in the stands to watch a performance with Chairman Kim Jong-un, his wife Ri Sol-ju, and other senior members of the Workers' Party of Korea on the evening of June 2. This was a "homegrown" event, with the wives of many military officers participating in the performance.

The photo was published byRodong SinmunThe photo shows Kim Yong-chol sitting five rows away from President Kim Jong-un.

However, the name that the Korean newspaper said was executed, Mr. Kim Hyok-chol, the special envoy to the US, has not been revealed. Sources ofChosun IlboKim Hyok-chol, who was a negotiating partner with US Special Representative Stephen Biegun before the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi in February, was shot at Mirim airport in March along with four other senior officials accused of spying for the US.

According to sources, Chairman Kim Jong-un is said to have ordered sanctions against a number of North Korean officials because the second summit in Hanoi did not produce results.