Purges in North Korea.
Removed Kim Jong-un’s powerful uncle

PYONGYANG – Jang Song Thaek, powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was removed from all official positions, while two of his close advisors were killed in a public execution. It is learned from the Yonhap agency, which cites the South Korean national espionage agency as its source. Jang, after the executions at the end of November due to corruption charges and activities against the Korean Workers’ Party, was no longer seen in public. The services explain that it is not clear why Kim Jong-un’s uncle fell out of favor and say that, according to the information available, the executions were authorized by the leader.

Jang, husband of Kim Kyong-hui’s aunt, was the deputy head of the National Defense Commission and was regarded as the second most powerful figure in the country, after Kim Jong-un. He would have played a role in conferring power to the latter after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in late 2011.

03 December 2013