A South Korean newspaper reported today that North Korea executed a senior envoy involved in nuclear negotiations with the US as well as four other high-level officials.
But as ever with North Korea, a country that closely guards its secrets, there are reasons to be cautious about the purported purge, TVNZ reported.
While North Korea hasn't used its propaganda services to comment, the report in the conservative Chosun Ilbo daily could be true.
But it's important to note that both South Korean media and the government in Seoul have a history of reporting scoops about the inner workings of North Korea that turn out to be wrong.
Supposedly executed officials have later appeared trotting alongside Kim on state TV after their reported demise.
Friday's report is based on a single, unidentified "source who knows about North Korea" — with no details about where that source got their information.
The report so far hasn't been matched by any major media in Seoul or confirmed by government officials, even anonymously.