North Korean authorities are reportedly trying to locate the oldest son of General Oh Guk-ryol, a top-ranking officer in the communist regime's army.

A source familiar with ongoings in North Korea said Sunday Pyongyang has confirmed that Oh Se-wook is missing and is working clandestinely to figure out whether Oh has defected to another country or even killed.

Some western media outlets have previously speculated Oh may have defected to the United States. The junior Oh had served as an officer in the North Korean People's Army.