The recent news that the chief of North Korean State Security Department, or political secret police, Kim Won Hong, had been purged, surprised very few people. It is one of many high-profile purges that have happened in recent years.
What should draw our attention - and this might have escaped many - are the accusations alleged to have been made against him. Among the typical ones that are notoriously repeated in such instances, such as corruption, or abuse of power, a new one has appeared: he was also discharged for perpetrating “human rights abuses” in his agency.
The recent news that the chief of North Korean State Security Department, or political secret police, Kim Won Hong, had been purged, surprised very few people. It is one of many high-profile purges that have happened in recent years.
What should draw our attention - and this might have escaped many - are the accusations alleged to have been made against him. Among the typical ones that are notoriously repeated in such instances, such as corruption, or abuse of power, a new one has appeared: he was also discharged for perpetrating “human rights abuses” in his agency.
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
