Kim Hyok Chol, N. Korean special ambassador for US, was executed at Mirim Airport. (Image via: Boing Boing)

North Korea Executes Its US Ambassador

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un did it again. The leader is known for its unquestionable decision when it comes to execution, especially if there are people who question or fail his order. Freedom of speech and failure in duty in N. Korea comes with serious consequences, either labor, prison, or death.

However, at a gist of treason or defecting from N. Korean ideals, the public execution is a must.

Looking back to the failure to reach an agreeable impasse between N. Korea and US at Hanoi Summit talks last February, Kim Jong-un seems to consider his US ambassador, Kim Hyok Chol, to be incompetent, and his incompetence means death.

Reported by Chosun Ilbo, a top news agency in South Korea, a thorough, mass investigation was made since the Hanoi breakdown, through all levels. After a serial of investigation done by N. Korean authorities, upon arriving in Mirim Airport, Pyongyang, the former N. Korean ambassador for Spain and US was executed on scene. Since the Hanoi Summit also involved some Foreign Affairs ministers, Kim Jong-un did not spare 4 lives of the ministers, and executed them as well.

The report stated that the public execution was made to distract N. Koreans from the fact that the talk had broken down, and no significant deal was made between two countries.

Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong-un’s sister, was hiding from the investigation. It seemed that Kim Jong-un put his sister in privilege by telling her to hide from the investigation.

Fortunately for Kim Yong Chol, a top advisor for Kim Jong-un, he was only sentenced to hard labor in Jagang for the failure. In addition, Shin Hye Yong, the interpreter for Kim Jong-un at the Summit, was sentenced to imprisonment. She was considered making a fatal interpreting mistake which led to the talks breakdown.

The public execution marked the first time since 6 years. In December 2013, Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was not spared from the execution due to allegation of reverting from N. Korean ideals. Thus, this broke down the perspective that Kim Jong-un favored his family. His exection is without partiality.

Source: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/05/c59baeaf3124-n-korea-envoy-executed-over-failed-hanoi-summit-s-korea-media.html