North Korea executes ‘big shot’ couple who became ‘arrogant’ after the success of their business, accusing them of being ‘anti-republic’

North Korea executed a ‘bigwig’ couple accused of being arrogant and anti-republican following the success of their business.

Hundreds of people, including children, are said to have been forced to watch a firing squad shoot them to death in an open field in Pyongyang.

The duo, in their 50s, ran a private business that sold, repaired and rented electric bicycles, battery-powered motorcycle parts and regular bicycles.

Although they were officially registered with the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions in Sadong District, they made significant profits and were known as ‘bigwigs’, according to reports.

Some residents were angry with them for high wholesale prices, complaints about quality and what locals described as arrogant behavior.

Authorities accused them of violating the Law on Rejection of Reactionary Thoughts and Culture, Daily NK reported. They were also allegedly working with a foreign organization to illegally transport currency and spread anti-state messages.

Following their arrest in early August, they were interrogated jointly and sentenced to death in early September. It was reported that approximately 20 people associated with them were sentenced to exile or re-education.

The execution, which took place in an open area in Mirim, was watched by local residents who were ordered to attend.

A source said: ‘All managers such as market managers and stall managers were required to attend, so more than 200 residents gathered at the time.’

According to reports, parents without childcare options were forced to bring their young children.

The source added: ‘With nowhere to leave their children, residents had no choice but to take them out. Secondary school students passing by joined the adults and witnessed the terrible scene without any resistance.’

Authorities told residents that the execution was intended to act ‘as a model to prevent economic chaos and educate the public’.

The sentence was widely seen as a warning aimed at cutting off external links and tightening the state’s control over private business operations.

The timing also attracted attention; The execution took place shortly after the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un returned from a visit to China.

The source said it sent the message “There are no exceptions to internal discipline, even when cooperating with foreign countries” and that it was part of a broader attempt to stop private business practices that go beyond what the state allows.

“It is clear that the intention is to show that anyone who goes even slightly beyond the limits allowed by the state can be punished as an example,” the source said.

‘All businessmen are afraid when they see this incident and think, ‘We too can be caught at any moment.’

Citizens who witnessed the murder experienced great fear.

Market activity reportedly fell sharply for several days. Businesses affiliated with the pair collapsed, and prices for batteries and related parts rose sharply or stopped moving altogether.

The decision to allow children to watch the execution also caused alarm.

The source said this had the effect of exposing minors to extreme violence and many viewed it as intentional.

“This incident is not just about punishing actions that ‘disrupt the economic order’,” the source said. ‘It is to instil fear in the public, especially young people, saying that the state can punish if it wishes.

North Korea continued to carry out public executions in an attempt to instill fear and prevent people from doing things it deemed anti-republican.

Most executions are carried out by firing squad, which includes three soldiers who fire multiple shots at the convicted person. Executions by hanging were also reported.

The crowd is often ordered to take part in the killings. Crimes such as distributing foreign media can lead to the death penalty.

Last year, a 22-year-old was killed for distributing K-pop from South Korea.