Who Is Hyon Song-wol? Kim Jong-un's Ex-Girlfriend Executed By Firing Squad, Report Says

A purported ex-girlfriend of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un was reportedly executed by a firing squad last week.

A report from South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo suggests that Hyon Song-wol, believed to be Kim’s ex-girlfriend, was among 12 people machine-gunned Aug. 20 by a firing squad, The Telegraph reports. Hyon was a singer in North Korea’s Unhasu Orchestra.

Hyon was one of 12 people arrested on Aug. 17 for an alleged violation of North Korea’s anti-pornography laws, Chosun Ilbo reports. The 12 individuals were reportedly executed three days later, with their families and performers from North Korea’s most famous music groups forced to watch the display.

“They were executed with machine guns while the key members of the Unhasu Orchestra, Wanghaesan Light Band and Moranbong Band as well as the families of the victims looked on,” a Chinese source reportedly told Chosun Ilbo. The families have since been transferred to prison camps.

Hyon and the other 11 individuals were all associated with the Unhasu Orchestra or the Wanghaesan Light Music Band, The Telegraph reports. According to reports, Hwon and her colleagues were accused of filming themselves performing sex acts, and then attempting to profit from the videos. Unhasu and Wanghaesan are believed to have disbanded in the wake of the executions.

Kim Jong-un purportedly met Hyon about 10 years ago, while his father, Kim Jong-il, was still in power. Kim Jong-il disapproved of the relationship, and ordered Kim Jong-un to break up with the singer, The Telegraph reports. Hyon would eventually get married to a North Korean army officer, but reports suggest that she continued to see Kim after the wedding.

Kim is currently married to Ri Sol-ju, who also performed as a member of the Unhasu Orchestra, The Telegraph reports. Ri’s connection to the group prompted some to suggest that she balked at Kim’s ongoing affair with Hyon.

Hyon was a popular singer throughout the 2000s, and was particularly well-known for producing patriotic ballads, The Telegraph reports. Her biggest hits include “Footsteps of Soldiers,” “I Love Pyongyang,” and "Excellent Horse-Like Lady."