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 cannot 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. 
who is the ruler?
when did he come to power?
what is his accepted title?
of which nation?
what was his dad's name?
which network is mentioned?
is another legislator named in the article
his name?
is his employer mentioned?
who does he work for?
did he speak to someone?
who?
how many?
what did he tell them?
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Kim Jong Un
leader Kim Jong Un
December 2011
Kim became North Korea's Supreme Commander in December 2011
Supreme Commander
Kim became North Korea's Supreme Commander i
North Korea
Kim became North Korea
Kim Jong Il
his father, Kim Jong Il
CNN
CNN
Yes
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker
Shin Kyung-min
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker
Yes
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy
the New Politics Alliance for Democracy
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker with the New Politics Alliance for Democrac
Yes
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, told
reporters
Shin Kyung-min, a lawmaker with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, told a handful of reporters
a handful
told a handful of reporters
that he had been given information
 told a handful of reporters that he had been given the information
the South Korean National Intelligence Service.
iven the information by the South Korean National Intelligence Service. 