North Korea has fired its spy chief amid an investigation into corruption, abuse of power and torture committed by his agency, according to Seoul.

State security minister Kim Won Hong had been seen as close to leader Kim Jong-Un before he was removed from office last month.

Image: Jang Song Thaek, uncle to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, was executed in 2013

Jeong Joon Hee, a spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, said his sacking could trigger instability in Pyongyang's leadership by fuelling more fear in the ruling elite.

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North Korea has not confirmed the sacking, but Kim Won Hong could face harsh punishment as an investigation into his actions is completed, Mr Jeong said.


Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong-Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the Seoul government has called a "reign of terror".

Among those killed was his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful man in North Korea. He was executed in 2013 for alleged treason.

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South Korea has said its neighbour also executed a vice premier for education in 2016 for unspecified "anti-revolutionary and factional acts", and a defence minister in 2015 for treason.

It was unclear if Kim Won Hong's sacking means he has been permanently removed from North Korea's leadership circle.

Choe Ryong Hae, a close aide to Kim Jong-Un, was thought to have been banished to a collective farm for "re-education" in 2015, but regained his political position during a congress of the ruling Workers' Party last year.