By Jun Ji-hye

Military and intelligence officials are jointly questioning one of Jang Song-thaek's closest aides at Seoul's embassy in China as the former confidant is seeking asylum in the South following the execution of the No. 2 man in North Korea, a local daily reported Wednesday.

The Munhwa Ilbo quoted an unidentified official as saying, "This person, who is from the military sector in the North, has vital information of Pyongyang's nuclear tests and other relevant intelligence. He defected from North Korea between the end of September and the beginning of October when he detected moves to purge Jang."

Jang, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un who served as vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, was executed last Thursday for allegedly plotting to overthrow the regime.

The official added that the person handed confidential information about the North's military to Seoul officials in a bid to come to South Korea.

According to the official, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and Rep. Cho Won-jin of the ruling Saenuri Party mentioned on Tuesday ㅡ based on military material transferred by Jang's aide ㅡ that the Stalinist state could act out and stage military provocations between January and March.

The newspaper said the person was in charge of overseeing arms trading, defense production and logistics, as well as managing slush funds for the young leader.