North Korea executes defence chief using anti-aircraft gun for 'falling asleep'

Report from Independent.co.uk says North Korea has executed its defence chief Hyon Yong Chol using an anti-aircraft gun at a firing range.

Hyon, 66, is understood to have been executed for repeatedly voicing complaints against the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, for not following orders and for falling asleep at a military event, according to South Korean spies.

His death was reportedly watched by hundreds of people.

The execution is the latest in a series of purges carried out by the young leader, the most notable of which was the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek, a man once considered the second most powerful person in North Korea. A year later, Kim reportedly had is aunt poisoned, and 15 senior officials have been killed this year alone for challenging the leader’s authority.