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| Kim Jong-un's uncle fired in North Korea shake-up | Kim Jong-un's uncle fired in North Korea shake-up |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| North Korea has acknowledged the purge of leader Kim Jong-un's influential uncle for his "dissolute and depraved life", alleging corruption, drug use, gambling and a long list of other "anti-state" acts, apparently ending the career of the country's second most powerful official. | |
| The young North Korean leader will now rule without the relative who was long considered his mentor as he consolidated power after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, two years ago. Jang Song-thaek's fall from the leadership, detailed in a lengthy dispatch by state media, is the latest and most significant in a series of personnel reshuffles that Kim has conducted in an apparent effort to bolster his power. | The young North Korean leader will now rule without the relative who was long considered his mentor as he consolidated power after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, two years ago. Jang Song-thaek's fall from the leadership, detailed in a lengthy dispatch by state media, is the latest and most significant in a series of personnel reshuffles that Kim has conducted in an apparent effort to bolster his power. |
| Jang who is married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, Kim Kyong-hui, the younger sister of Kim Jong-il, was described by state media as "abusing his power", being "engrossed in irregularities and corruption", taking drugs and squandering money at casinos while undergoing medical treatment in a foreign country. | Jang who is married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, Kim Kyong-hui, the younger sister of Kim Jong-il, was described by state media as "abusing his power", being "engrossed in irregularities and corruption", taking drugs and squandering money at casinos while undergoing medical treatment in a foreign country. |
| The dispatch also said he had "improper relations with several women and was wined and dined at back parlours of deluxe restaurants". | The dispatch also said he had "improper relations with several women and was wined and dined at back parlours of deluxe restaurants". |
| Referring to North Korea as a "popular democratic dictatorship", the dispatch said "Jang seriously obstructed the nation's economic affairs and the improvement of the standard of people's living". | Referring to North Korea as a "popular democratic dictatorship", the dispatch said "Jang seriously obstructed the nation's economic affairs and the improvement of the standard of people's living". |
| The decision to strip Jang of all posts and titles and expel him from the ruling Workers Party was made at a political bureau meeting of the party's central committee on Sunday. The dispatch indicated that the purge would extend to supporters of Jang, but did not provide details. | The decision to strip Jang of all posts and titles and expel him from the ruling Workers Party was made at a political bureau meeting of the party's central committee on Sunday. The dispatch indicated that the purge would extend to supporters of Jang, but did not provide details. |
| Opinion has been divided among analysts on what the purge may mean for the future of North Korea. Some analysts see it as a sign of Kim Jong-un's growing confidence, but there has also been fear in Seoul that the removal of such an important part of the North's government, seen by outsiders as the leading supporter of Chinese-style economic reforms, could create dangerous instability or lead to a major miscalculation or attack on the South. | Opinion has been divided among analysts on what the purge may mean for the future of North Korea. Some analysts see it as a sign of Kim Jong-un's growing confidence, but there has also been fear in Seoul that the removal of such an important part of the North's government, seen by outsiders as the leading supporter of Chinese-style economic reforms, could create dangerous instability or lead to a major miscalculation or attack on the South. |
| "I believe it shows Kim Jong-un is firmly in control and confident enough to remove even the senior-most officials," said Bruce Klingner, an Asia specialist at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington. | "I believe it shows Kim Jong-un is firmly in control and confident enough to remove even the senior-most officials," said Bruce Klingner, an Asia specialist at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington. |
| But he said: "There is no reason to believe with this latest ouster that there will be a change in North Korean policy; that the Kim dynasty will suddenly turn around its bad behaviour." | But he said: "There is no reason to believe with this latest ouster that there will be a change in North Korean policy; that the Kim dynasty will suddenly turn around its bad behaviour." |
| South Korean intelligence officials said days ago that a purge was likely because two of Jang's aides had been executed last month for corruption. A recent state documentary in the North had all images of Jang removed. | South Korean intelligence officials said days ago that a purge was likely because two of Jang's aides had been executed last month for corruption. A recent state documentary in the North had all images of Jang removed. |
| Jang has held a string of senior jobs, including membership in the National Defence Commission, the government's top ruling body. He served as a leading economic policy official in charge of the push to draw foreign investment, travelling to China in 2012 to discuss the establishment of special economic zones. He has also assumed responsibility for North Korea's burgeoning sports industry, a pet project of Kim Jong-un's. | Jang has held a string of senior jobs, including membership in the National Defence Commission, the government's top ruling body. He served as a leading economic policy official in charge of the push to draw foreign investment, travelling to China in 2012 to discuss the establishment of special economic zones. He has also assumed responsibility for North Korea's burgeoning sports industry, a pet project of Kim Jong-un's. |
| Jang has also reportedly been purged several times previously, only to return to power. But the formality and length of the current allegations against Jang suggest a more serious development. | Jang has also reportedly been purged several times previously, only to return to power. But the formality and length of the current allegations against Jang suggest a more serious development. |
| Kim Jong-un has reportedly overseen other purges of senior officials, though none as high profile as this one. | Kim Jong-un has reportedly overseen other purges of senior officials, though none as high profile as this one. |
| One of the most notable personnel changes was the 2012 firing of military chief Ri Yong-ho, who was once also dubbed a mentor to Kim Jong-un. State media said he was dismissed in July 2012 due to an unspecified illness, but analysts speculated that Ri was purged because Kim wanted to reshape the government. | One of the most notable personnel changes was the 2012 firing of military chief Ri Yong-ho, who was once also dubbed a mentor to Kim Jong-un. State media said he was dismissed in July 2012 due to an unspecified illness, but analysts speculated that Ri was purged because Kim wanted to reshape the government. |
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