North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (top L) addresses commanding officers of the combined units of the Korean People's Army (KPA)

A NORTH Korean official has been executed by flame thrower, according to reports in South Korean media.

The execution is believed the have been part of a purge on those loyal to Kim Jog-un’s uncle, who was executed last year.

Media in the South believes that as many as 11 high ranking officials have been executed as part of the purge.

Kim’s uncle, Jang Song-taek, was publicly purged in December and executed after being found guilty of corruption.

It is now believed that O Sang-hon, a deputy minister at the Ministry of Public Security has met a grisly end.

The report has not yet been confirmed.

However, the regime has previously used unorthodox means for executing opponents.

Two years ago vice minister of the army was executed with a mortar round for drinking during the official mourning period after Kim Jong-il's death.

On the orders of Kim Jong-un to leave "no trace of him behind, down to his hair," he was forced to stand on a spot that had been targeted for a mortar round and "obliterated".

It has also previously been reported that the country’s dictator has had opponents fed to starving dogs.

The is concern in Seoul at instability in Pyongyang, with reports of regular purging of opponents suggesting a power struggle in the reclusive nation’s government.

Online Editors