South Korea`s spy agency has reportedly told the country`s parliament that North Korea had executed their defence minister Hyon Yong-chol.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, Hyon was killed on April 30 by an anti-aircraft fire in the presence of hundreds of people.
A BBC report says that Hyon was believed to have been accused of showing disloyalty to North Korea`s leader, Kim Jong-un.
Yonhap quoting a briefing by the South Korea`s National Intelligence Agency (NIS) said that Hyon had fallen asleep during an event attended by Kim Jong-un thereby unable to carry out his instructions.
Other reports say that the last time he had appeared on the state media was April 29- a day before his reported execution.
Analysis site NK News said Mr Hyon had last appeared in state media a day before the alleged execution date. South Korean intelligence agency in the past said that North Korea was executing its senior officials at the rate of one a week.
If Hyon doesn`t make a public appearance on state TV, South Korean intelligence report about his execution will be deemed as confirmed news.