A South Korea's ruling party lawmaker called Friday for the removal of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a sign that underscores growing impatience in dealing with the dictator pursuing missile and nuclear programs.

"Everybody will be happy if Kim Jong-un is removed," Ha Tae-keung of the ruling Saenuri Party said in an interview with a local radio station.

He also urged the international community to stand united in removing Kim as it did for former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. In 2006, Hussein was executed for crimes against humanity.

"Kim Jong-un is a criminal," said the North Korean human rights activist-turned-lawmaker. "Getting rid of a criminal is appropriate and does not violate international laws."

The South Korean government did not react to Ha's call.

International patience is wearing thin on North Korea over Kim's defiant pursuit of missile and nuclear weapons programs.

North Korea launched a long-range missile on Sunday, about a month after it drew worldwide condemnation for its fourth nuclear test.

In 1968, South Korea set up a commando unit to kill then North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, Kim's late grandfather, in retaliation for North Korea's assassination attempt on then President Park Chung-hee, the late father of current South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

However, the unit's mission was called off at the last moment.

In 1983, a deadly North Korean terrorist bombing targeted then South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan visiting Myanmar's old capital of Yangon.

Chun escaped the attack thanks to traffic congestion, but the bomb ripped through a memorial, killing 17 South Koreans including Cabinet ministers. (Yonhap)