A South Korean newspaper has reported that Pyeongyang is carrying out a purge for the deadlock in denuclearization talks with the U.S. following the Hanoi summit... as part of efforts to divert attention away from internal turmoil and discontent.<br />Kim Ji-yeon reports.<br />Citing an unnamed North Korean source... the South Korea-based Chosun Ilbo daily reported Friday... that North Korea has executed its special representative for U.S. affairs Kim Hyok-chol and four senior foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations during the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.<br />They were reportedly executed at the Mirim Air Base in Pyeongyang in March... after being charged with spying for the U.S.<br />The newspaper also reported that Kim Yong-chol , who had been U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's counterpart in the denuclearization talks,... was relieved from his duty and subjected to forced labor and ideological education in Jagang-do Province.<br />Kim Yong-chol was replaced as director of the United Front Department in the reshuffle in April.<br />The source added the director of the United Front Department's strategy office Kim Song-hye , who carried out working-level negotiations with Kim Hyok-chol has been sent to a political prison camp.<br />Meanwhile, Shin Hye-yong , who was the interpreter for the Hanoi summit has also reportedly been detained in a political prison camp for undermining the authority of Kim Jong-un by making a critical interpretation mistake.<br />Kim Yo-jong , the sister of Kim Jong-un... who hasn't been spotted after the Hanoi summit, is also said to be lying low.<br />The North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary on Thursday that "acting like one is revering the Leader in front of others but dreaming of something else when one turns around, is an anti-party, anti-revolutionary act that has thrown away the moral fidelity toward the Leader, and such people will not avoid the stern judgment of the revolution.”<br />It added "there are traitors and turncoats who only memorize words of loyalty toward the Leader and even change according to the trend of the time."<br />The Chosun Ilbo said it's the first time since the execution of Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek in 2013... that expressions hinting at purging such as "anti-party, anti-revolutionary" and "stern judgment" have appeared in the Rodong Sinmun.<br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.<br />
