China said Wednesday that it has "no information" about the reported execution of North Korea's defense minister.

South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers earlier in the day that the North's defense minister, Hyon Yong-chol, was executed for showing disloyalty to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"I have seen media reports, but we have no information on that," China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying replied, referring to the reported purge.

If confirmed, it will mark another case showing the brutal nature of Kim in handling top officials, following the stunning execution of his once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, in 2013. (Yonhap)