The government believes that the recent purge of senior officials in North Korea is aimed at solidifying the monolithic leadership of Kim Jong-un by creating a mood of fear.
 
Unification Ministry spokesman, Lim Byung-chul, said in a regular news briefing on Wednesday that Seoul is closely watching what effect the North’s politics of fear will have on its government in the long-run.
 
Lim’s remarks come after the National Intelligence Service said that several of Kim’s closest aides were purged, including Hyon Yong-chol, the chief of North Korea's People's Armed Forces.