South Korea's spy agency confirmed Thursday that former North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho has been purged though it remains uncertain whether he was executed, according to a lawmaker briefed on the matter.

"Regarding recent media reports about Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, it was confirmed (by the National Intelligence Service) that he has been purged but whether he was executed remains unclear," lawmaker Youn Kun Young told reporters.

Ri Yong Ho. (Kyodo)

Youn and other members of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee were briefed by the agency at a meeting on Thursday. The agency did not provide reasons for the former minister being purged.

The confirmation came a day after a Japanese newspaper reported that Ri may have been executed last year, citing unnamed sources.

A career diplomat who had served as ambassador to Britain, Ri was appointed as North Korea's foreign minister in 2016. Known for his knowledge of U.S. affairs, he took part in denuclearization talks with the United States while serving in the role. It came to light in 2020 that he had been replaced by Ri Son Gwon, a former military officer.

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