There is no doubt that North Korea would be willing to execute an official perceived to have failed its leader. It's part of a spotty track record by South Korean media on reporting purges and state-ordered killings in the reclusive north. Neither the South Korean government nor the US hovernment has publicly confirmed the report about Kim Hyok Chol. Among defector and activist groups, there had been considerable talk of executions of North Korean officials after the Hanoi meetings. "There's no question that Kim Hyok Chol and Kim Yong Chol are not part of the negotiating team anymore.

Source: Stuff May 31, 2019 18:22 UTC