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North Korea executes Kim Jong-un’s uncle

December 13, 2013

The execution of Jang, came only four days after he was arrested at a politburo meeting of the ruling party. (Yonhap)

North Korea announced early Friday that the disgraced uncle of its leader, Kim Jong-un, has been executed as a “traitor for all ages.”

Jang Song-thaek, 67, was executed Thursday, shortly after a special military trial, according to Pyongyang’s official news agency, KCNA. “The accused Jang brought together undesirable forces and formed a faction as the boss of a modern day factional group for a long time,” it said in an English-language report, titled, “Traitor Jang Song-thaek Executed.” He also attempted to overthrow the state, it added.

The KCNA report described Jang as “despicable human scum” and “worse than a dog,” and said he had betrayed his party and leader. “The tribunal examined Jang’s crimes. All the crimes committed by the accused were proved in the course of hearing and were admitted by him,” it went on to say.

The execution of Jang, thought to be the real power behind Kim, came only four days after he was accused of “anti-state, counter-revolutionary activities,” stripped of all his posts and arrested at a politburo meeting of the ruling party.

Some media outlets in Seoul are suggesting that Kim’s aunt (Kim Il-sung’s youngest daughter), Kim Kyong-hui, orchestrated her husband’s purge, and that Kim’s wife Ri Sol-ju was also involved.

The fact that Ri has not been seen at official events over the past 50 days also have raised suspicions.