North Korea publicly executed its defense minister Hyon Yong Chol after being accused of treason and disloyalty to leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea's spy agency told parliament.

The country reportedly executed the defense chief by placing him in front of an anti-aircraft gun at a firing range, said Seoul's National Intelligence Service.

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Hyon's execution is the latest in a succession of purges involving high-level officials since Kim Jong Un took charge of the country, according to Reuters.

Kim Gwang-lim, chairman of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee and a lawmaker with the Saenuri Party who attended the briefing, said Hyon was executed for expressing discontent towards the North Korean leader. He also reportedly failed to follow Kim's orders on several occasions.

The exact date when Hyon was executed remains unclear. However, according to reports, he was killed "around April 30." He was last mentioned in the North Korean state media on Wednesday, April 29, after attending a performance of the Moranbong Band at the People's Palace of Culture.

According to Kim Gwang-lim, a lawmaker, the South Korean spy agency said Hyon was executed without trial within two to three days of his arrest. If the dates are precise, it would mean Hyon's death had been instant and decisive.

There had been no single incident leading to the defense chief's arrest and execution. However, Kim Gwang-lim said that along with general neglect of duty, Hyon was seen falling asleep while on a meeting organized by Jong Un, as reported by CNN.

Though little is known about Hyon, he is believed to have been a general since 2010. He served on the North Korean committee for Kim Jong-il's funeral in December 2011. This signifies the man's influence in the country.

North Korea experts said there is no sign of instability in Pyongyang, but if the purges continue, there would be a possibility.

A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry said the recent execution is considered by the government to be yet another display of "fear politics" in North Korea.

"Our government views that the purge is promoting the solidification of the only monolithic leadership of Kim Jong Un by creating atmosphere of fear," Lim Byeong-cheol said.

News of Hyon's death execution comes weeks after 15 senior officials have been executed this year, reported BBC.

Of the 15 officials executed, two vice ministers who had challenged Jong Un over his policies and members of an orchestra were included, said the South's National Intelligence Agency at the time.

However, a top official reportedly told CNN during the news agency's rare trip to Pyongyang last week that the allegation was "malicious slander."

In December 2013, North Korean news agency KCNA reported Kim's uncle, Jang Song Thaek, had been executed for treachery. Jang had been called a "despicable human scum" and "worse than a dog" in the report.

The BBC was told by analysts that while reshuffling of officials are common in North Korea, the execution of a figure such as Defense Chief Hyon is surprising. This could reportedly become a cause of concern on the country's stability. Experts concerned about the country's nuclear weapons are worried about the prospect of potential instability in North Korea.

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