{"id":644339,"date":"2019-06-03T10:47:54","date_gmt":"2019-06-03T10:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"
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Associated Press<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Kim Yong Chol, a senior North Korean official reportedly purged after the failed talks in Hanoi between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, appeared at an arts performance with the country\u2019s top brass, official media reported Monday.<\/p>\n

His appearance came just three days after he was said to have been purged, according to a report by a South Korean newspaper.<\/p>\n

Kim Yong Chol, the North\u2019s counterpart to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the nuclear negotiations, was sent to a labour camp after the Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi in February, South Korea\u2019s Chosun Ilbo newspaper had reported Friday.<\/p>\n

The paper had also made worldwide headlines by saying that Kim Hyok Chol, North Korea\u2019s special envoy to the United States, had been executed by firing squad in March, after the two leaders failed to come to a deal over sanctions relief and the North\u2019s nuclear programme.<\/p>\n

Kim Hyok Chol was Pyongyang\u2019s counterpart to US special representative Stephen Biegun in the run-up to Hanoi, and the Choson Ilbo said he had been put to death for \u201cbetraying the Supreme Leader\u201d after he was \u201cwon over to the US\u201d during pre-summit negotiations.<\/p>\n

But the North is difficult to report on as one of the world\u2019s most isolated nations and some previous Southern reports of purges and executions by Pyongyang have later proved inaccurate.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the North\u2019s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper carried a picture showing Kim Yong Chol sitting five seats down from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with both his hands covering his face, at a \u201cperformance given by amateur art groups of the wives\u201d of military officers.<\/p>\n

The South\u2019s Munhwa Ilbo afternoon paper carried the photo on the front page of its Monday edition, with the headline: \u201cKim Yong Chol, rumoured to be purged, affirms his position next to Kim Jong Un\u201d.<\/p>\n

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