Kim Jong Un publicly executes some 60 N. Koreans this year

North Korea has been discovered to be obsessed with wielding its iron fist, as it continued to shore up public executions this year. The heightened punishment seems to be a consequence of weaker loyalty to the leadership of Kim Jong Un and possible signs of organized alienation of the public, as North Korean restaurant employees working in China recently escaped in groups.

"Reign of terror is expanding nationwide, as Kim Jong Un publicly executed famous high-level officials and demoted several high-ranking figures last month," a North Korea source said on Friday. "Innocent people are being executed, as public security bureaus such as the State Security Department or the People's Safety Agency is engaged in a fierce competition not be fingered by Kim." North Korea reportedly is accusing its people as spies once they merely talk over the phone with people in South Korean, and is executing people for treason on crimes once sentenced with imprisonment.

"As of August, North Korea is believed to have executed more than 60 people, which is nearly two times higher than the annual average of around 30 people executed since Kim took office," another sources said. South Korean National Intelligence Service said that the number of executions drastically increased this year. It was known that North Korean public security bureaus arrested and executed dozens of remaining family members of defected residents and remittance brokers on a charge of espionage in early February. Also in April, the Stalinist state executed some 10 brokers who helped North Koreans in Hyesan, Yangkang Province defect to the South. In particular, over 10 were known to be executed publicly for watching South Korean movies and dramas, or distribute drugs and use them.

The heightened reign of terror came as Kim Jong Un ordered his public security bureau to strengthen control over residents, saying that free time will only make them think of making money, complaining over the society, and plotting conspiracies. Furthermore, the recent strict law enforcement is believed to suppress the public discontent over continuous mobilization of labor force. It was known that North Korean residents were mobilized for a "70-day campaign of loyalty," which was held to prepare for its 7th Congress of the ruling Workers' Party in May, but were again forced to participate in another "200-day campaign of loyalty" through the end of this year.

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