I'd take firing squad (actually, probably the easiest way to go out of major execution methods) over being blown up by a mortar any day.
That said, military purges in N. Korea are only vaguely newsworthy at this point. It's to be expected. Frankly, the macabre execution method is messy but at the same time is still far superior to traditional methods like hanging or electrocution.
Or even the lethal injection, considering a huge number of botched executions. It's basically a lottery, just like it was with the Old Sparky.
It's kind of ironic that "barbaric" method used "bad counties" (shooting) is, in fact, more humane than "humane" method, used by the U.S.
Of course, on the other hand, one would not be executed in the U.S. for being drunk during a period of mourning or similar offence.
In other words: if I were to face a capital trial, I'd, of course, prefer to stand one in the U.S., rather than, let's say, Belarus.
But, if I were to be executed, I'd rather be executed by shooting in Belarus, rather than play lethal injection lottery.