North Korean leader has reportedly executed 15 people this year

Reports have emerged that North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un has executed 15 people this year including top officials of the country.

The executions which was made known by South Korean Intelligence, at a parliamentary meeting, was carried out by firing squad on charges of spying.

BBC reports that those killed include 2 vice ministers who challenged Kim over his policies; a forestry minister had complained about North Korea's forestation plan in one instance.

Also, 4 members of North Korea's Unhasu Orchestra are also believed to have been executed in March. Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju had been a singer in the orchestra before her marriage and there are speculations that the head of the orchestra had been executed, possibly for leaking family secrets.

While there has been no confirmation from North Korea about the executions, Kim is known to purge his opponents and in 2013, he executed his uncle, Chang Song-thaek for treachery, along with a group of officials who had been close to him.

Before the fallout, Chang was seen as a mentor to Kim Jong-un during the leadership transition from his father Kim Jong-il in 2011.