The Suspicious 'Disappearance' of North Korea's Second Most Powerful Man

The international community is wondering about the fate of one of North Korea's top military officials - General Hwang Pyong-so - after he suddenly "disappeared" several months ago.

It has been two months since Hwang Pyong-so has been seen in a high-ranking military presence alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

General Hwang – head of the army's General Political Bureau, was once considered the second most powerful man, second only to the North Korean leader in this Northeast Asian country.

According to South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, the general last appeared in public in early October at a sports competition and it is unclear whether he is alive or dead.

Observers believe that Mr. Hwang may have been executed for “insolent behavior.” Observers also believe that this may be one of the steps to limit the growing influence of the North Korean military.

Last month, it emerged that General Hwang Pyong-so and his deputy Kim Won-hong had been punished for “insolent behavior” against the Workers’ Party of Korea, which Kim Jong-un heads.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, told AFP: “This is a move by Kim Jong-un to tighten his grip on power and win over the military.”

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it was still unclear what punishment the two senior North Korean officials would receive, but according to some South Korean lawmakers who attended a confidential briefing, the two were likely sent to provincial farms to do hard labor.

General Hwang led a high-level delegation to South Korea during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. His deputy, Kim Won-hong, was appointed to the new post earlier this year after being fired as minister of state security for abuse of power and corruption. Kim was a spy who played a key role in the capture and execution of Kim Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, four years ago.

According to baotintuc.vn