Kim Jong-un can be a serious case of paranoid now. To him, anybody around him can be in cahoots with China or U.S., because there may be those who believe that there could be a life after Kim Jong-un, which is better than what they face if the current situation persists. They may not be entertaining an outright coup but want to have some insurance policy by keeping channels open to the other side and cutting personal deals with the outsiders. For example, providing them with inside info and other surreptitious help for taking down Kim Jong-un. Chances of it happening is probably low, but I don't think Kim Jong-un wants to take that chance, either.
Oh yes indeed.....one of the top official who defected said this would be the case as well......he believes as the pressure is increased other officials will attempt to defect. So given this article if they were simply thinking about it before they sure as heck are now....if they can live to do so.
If we are doing this right, he will continue to grow more suspicious and kill off all his closest officers. Let him help bring his own regime down.