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, 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.

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