North Korea has reportedly executed 10 government officials for a range of charges that included watching foreign soap operas, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.
Citing data from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, the officials, which include members of the ruling Workers’ Party, were executed by firing squad for watching South Korean soap operas, engaging in bribes or womanizing.
This brings the total number of executed officials to 50 this year.
“Many of the officials singled out by Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, were reportedly close to Jang Song-thaek, Mr Kim’s uncle, who was arrested in December 2013 and executed for a series of crimes against the state,” the report said.
The elimination of officials could mean that Kin Jong Un is getting rid of potential sources of opposition to his rule, it added.
Information obtained by The Telegraph said that pirated versions of South Korean and Chinese television programs have been widely available in North Korea’s black market.
“And despite the North Korean government’s efforts to stop its citizens learning about life outside their borders, the proliferation of mobile phones and electronic media that are easy to carry and conceal has made it impossible to keep all foreign influences at bay,” the report said.
The intelligence report also said that North Korea has expanded the capacity of its political prison camps. Hackers from the North have also tried to attempt to access thousands of smartphones in South Korea.
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