North Korea publicly executes defense chief for dozing off at event

North Korea has publicly executed the country's defense
minister after the regime accused him of treason, disloyalty
and disrespect, according to South Korean news agency
Yonhap.
Hyon Yong Chol was killed by firing squad using an anti-
aircraft gun at a military school in front of hundreds of people
in Pyongyang around April 30, the agency reported, citing a
media briefing by the National Intelligence Service at its
headquarters in Seoul.
Hyon "was purged for lese majeste" because he was seen
"dozing off" during a military event and "did not carry out
Kim's instructions," the agency said. It wasn't clear what
instructions Hyon failed to carry out.
The intelligence service told politicians that Hyon was killed
by an anti-aircraft gun at Kang Kon Military Academy - a
method cited in various unconfirmed reports as being reserved
for senior officials who the leadership wishes to make
examples of.
The execution was initially reported by South Korea's Yonhap
news agency, although reports from North Korea are
impossible to independently confirm.
Hyon is believed to have been a general since 2010 and
served on the committee for late leader Kim Jong-il's funeral
in December 2011, before becoming defence minister.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been accused of
ordering the executions of as many as 15 top officials so far
this year.
CNN/Daily Mail