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N Korea confirms removal of powerbroker Chang Song-thaek N Korea confirms removal of powerbroker Chang Song-thaek
(about 9 hours later)
North Korea has confirmed that Chang Song-thaek, a powerful uncle of North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un, has been dismissed from his post. North Korea has confirmed that Chang Song-thaek, the once powerful uncle of leader Kim Jong-un, has been dismissed, accusing him of criminal activity.
Mr Chang had committed "criminal acts", according to the state-run KCNA news agency. He was denounced by the state-run news agency for corruption and "depraved" acts such as womanising and drug abuse.
He was seen as an economic reformer and regularly handled talks with China, Pyongyang's only major ally. Seen as an economic reformer, Mr Chang regularly handled talks with China, Pyongyang's only major ally.
His removal is the biggest upheaval in North Korea's leadership since Mr Kim succeeded his father, analysts say. Images released by North Korea showed Mr Chang being removed from a Politburo meeting by uniformed guards.
Two of his close aides have been executed for corruption, according to earlier South Korean reports. The KCNA state news agency said the decision came after a meeting of the ruling communist Korean Workers' Party Politburo.
KCNA said the decision had come after a meeting of the politburo of the ruling communist Korean Workers' Party. News of his dismissal filtered out in South Korea last week along with reports that two of his close aides had been executed for corruption.
"The Chang Song-thaek group... committed such anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts as gnawing at the unity and cohesion of the party," said reports carried in state media early on Monday. Analysts say it is the biggest upheaval in North Korea's leadership since Mr Kim succeeded his father two years ago.
'Dissolute' life
The KCNA report accuses Mr Chang of being part of a faction working against the North Korean state.
"Chang pretended to uphold the party and leader but was engrossed in such factional acts as dreaming different dreams and involving himself in double-dealing behind the scenes.""Chang pretended to uphold the party and leader but was engrossed in such factional acts as dreaming different dreams and involving himself in double-dealing behind the scenes."
Mr Chang has been stripped of all his positions and expelled from the party, reports said. It accused him of offences such as financial mismanagement and selling off national resources for his personal gain, but it also denounced him for leading what it called "a dissolute and depraved life".
On Saturday, North Korean state TV was reported to have removed footage of Mr Chang from a documentary. "Ideologically sick and extremely idle and easy-going, he used drugs and squandered foreign currency at casinos while he was receiving medical treatment in a foreign country under the care of the party," the KCNA report said.
He had held senior posts in the ruling party and the National Defence Commission, the North's top military body. It added that he had "improper relations" with several women and "was wined and dined at back parlours of deluxe restaurants".
Mr Chang is reported to have been stripped of all his positions and expelled from the party.
On Saturday, North Korean state TV was also reported to have removed footage of Mr Chang from a documentary.
Past disappearancePast disappearance
Kim Jong-un took over after Kim Jong-il died in 2011. Mr Chang is married to the elder Kim's sister. Mr Chang had held senior posts in the ruling party and the National Defence Commission, the North's top military body.
He was seen as a key power broker at the time Kim Jong-un took over after Kim Jong-il died in 2011 - he is married to the elder Mr Kim's sister
He has often been pictured beside Kim Jong-un and was seen by some observers as the power behind the throne.He has often been pictured beside Kim Jong-un and was seen by some observers as the power behind the throne.
Despite his family ties to the leadership and senior status, he has been targeted in purges in the past. But despite his family ties to the leadership and senior status, he has been targeted in purges in the past.
In 2004, despite his place in the Kim family, he disappeared from public view.In 2004, despite his place in the Kim family, he disappeared from public view.
One report at the time, citing South Korean intelligence, said Mr Chang had been placed under house arrest.One report at the time, citing South Korean intelligence, said Mr Chang had been placed under house arrest.
Others suggested he had been sent for "re-education". However, two years later he appeared to have been reinstated.Others suggested he had been sent for "re-education". However, two years later he appeared to have been reinstated.