December 3, 2013
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek has been removed from power, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment based on information provided by multiple reliable sources that claimed two of Jang's closest confidants were executed in public in late November.
It said that those accused were cited for corruption and activities that countered the stance of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
The agency speculated that it is still trying to determine the scope of the latest purge, although this is difficult since it seems to be an ongoing process.
The NIS said that after the executions, Jang has not been seen in public.
"Such signs are an indication that Jang has been dismissed from all posts, although it is not known why he fell out of favor," said the NIS source, who declined to be identified.
He added that the North's military establishment has been informed of the executions and speculated that the North Korean leader has given consent to such a move.
"It is likely that security agencies and the WPK's leadership is deeply involved, which means the leader gave consent," the source said.
Jang is the husband of Kim Kyong-hui, who is the aunt of the North Korean leader. He held the position of vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission and was widely regarded as the most influential figure in North Korea after the leader. He is credited with playing a role in Kim securing power after the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il in late 2011.
The spy agency, meanwhile, said that Pyongyang seems to be trying to minimize the fallout from the executions and Jang's fall from power.
It said they did not know where Jang was or if the purge affected Kim Kyong-hui. Jang is reported to have had frosty relations with his wife.
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