The over-the-top execution of a defense minister who slept through dictator Kim Jong Un’s speech brings North Korea’s brutal death-penalty count to at least 70 since he took power in 2011, according to reports.

Experts say the maniacal leader has become more grisly and creative in his means of elimination because he is out to send a message.

Hyon Yong-chol’s death at the barrel of an anti-aircraft gun wasn’t the first time a government leader was killed in such a gruesome fashion.

Before executing his powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, in 2013, Kim Jong Un had Jang’s two top lieutenants killed with the weapons.

Jang was later executed by firing squad.

And in 2012, Kim had a deputy defense minister executed by using mortar rounds after the military official allegedly broke a prohibition on drinking alcohol during the mourning period for Kim’s father.

Hyon was accused of insubordination and treason before he was ripped to pieces with an anti-aircraft gun at a military school as hundreds looked on, South Korea’s intelligence agency said Wednesday.

It was not clear when the execution took place, but it is believed to have happened near the end of last month, just days after North Korea reportedly tested a submarine-fired ballistic missile.

Just last month, Hyon led a North Korean delegation to Moscow for a seminar on global security. But Hyon, a four-star general and the No. 2 military leader, quickly fell out of favor. No single reason was given for Hyon’s fall from grace, but falling asleep during a Kim speech did not help.

“This is a big deal. He was a survivor,” said Charles Armstrong, professor of Korean studies at Columbia University.

“He was from Kim Jong Un’s father’s regime. He made it through the transition. He was a very high-profile military man.”

Kim succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, at the end of 2011.

Kim has been accused of ordering the executions of as many as 15 top officials so far this year.

South Korea’s spy agency delivered the news in a closed session of parliament.

With Post Wires