Seoul ( CNN ) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is continuing to rule with an iron fist , having ordered the execution of about 15 senior officials so far this year , according to an assessment by South Korean intelligence agents , a lawmaker who attended a closed briefing said . Shin Kyung-min , a lawmaker with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy , told a handful of reporters that he had been given the information by the South Korean National Intelligence Service . CNN can not independently confirm the executions . The nature of the intelligence supporting the National Intelligence Service allegations was also not immediately clear . North Korea is one of the most closed societies in the world . According to Shin , intelligence officials say Kim is ruling in an impromptu manner and does not countenance excuses or any views at variance with his own . He considers those a challenge to his authority , the intelligence officials said , according to Shin . For example , a senior official with Ministry of Forestry was executed for expressing dissatisfaction with the country 's forestry program , the lawmaker said . North Korean defectors share their ordeals . The vice chairman of the State Planning Commission was executed because he objected to changing the design of a science and technology hall from a rounded shape to one resembling a flower , the intelligence officials said , according to the lawmaker . And in March , according to the South Korean lawmaker , Kim executed on charges of espionage four members of the Unhasu Orchestra , including the general director , because of a scandal , Shin said . Kim became North Korea 's Supreme Commander in December 2011 following the death of his father , Kim Jong Il . According to the National Intelligence Service , he is reported to have executed 17 senior officials in 2012 , 10 in 2013 and 41 in 2014 . The National Intelligence Service says there is a strong possibility that Kim will visit Russia , but given his nature , there is no way to be sure until the last minute . Why Putin is hosting Kim Jong Un . CNN 's KJ Kwon reported from Seoul and Don Melvin wrote this report from London .
South Korean lawmaker quotes intelligence officials as saying Kwon countenances no disagreement . Official reportedly executed for expressing dissatisfaction with forestry program . Four member of Unhasu Orchestra also reportedly executed .