Coup plot as North Korea goes into lock down: Report

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea may have been rushed out of Pyongyang amid reports the capital city has gone into lock down.

Details are scarce but observers claim that the fact nobody is being let in or out of Pyongyang is highly significant and could point towards a coup plot.

But it is not known if it means that a coup is unfolding or is being crushed by the Kim Jong-un.

The young dictator, believed to be 31, has reigned as supreme leader for around three years and has already conducted a bloody purge to shore up his position as leader.

Apparently, two high-ranking members of the National Defence Commission have been demoted recently to much more junior positions.

Professor Toshimitsu Shigemura, of Tokyo's Waseda University, told the Telegraph: "If it is a military-backed coup, then the situation in Pyongyang will be very dangerous and I have heard reports that Kim has been moved out of the capital.

"Another reason might be that some senior officials of the regime have attempted to defect and they are closing the escape routes, such as the airport and the border."

There are also reports that Kim's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, is running the country due to the leader's mysterious illness.