North Korea has executed its army chief of staff Ri Yong-gil, according to unconfirmed South Korean media reports.

Senior officials in North Korea have previously been absent from view for long periods only to reappear.

However, Gen Ri would be the latest of several high-ranking officials to be purged under leader Kim Jong-un.

South Korean media reported that Gen Ri had been executed earlier this month for corruption and "factional conspiracy".

The reports of Gen Ri's execution come days after the North launched a long-range rocket, which critics say is a test of banned missile technology.

In January the North carried out its fourth nuclear test.

Some observers say the regime's recent behaviour may be linked to Kim Jong-un wanting to shore up his position ahead of a rare congress of the ruling Workers' Party due in May.

(BBC)