North Korea has executed the uncle of leader Kim Jong-Un after a shock purge, state media said on Friday, branding the once-powerful Jang Song-Thaek as a “traitor for all ages” for challenging the regime.
In a stunning downfall, Jang — who had been seen as Kim’s political regent and the country’s unofficial number two — was executed on Thursday immediately after a special military trial, State news agency KCNA reported in a viciously worded attack.
He committed such a “hideous crime as attempting to overthrow the state by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods with a wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state”, it said, while also making the rare admission that N Korea is experiencing economic strife. Jang, 67, played a key role in cementing the leadership of the inexperienced Kim when he succeeded his father Kim Jong-Il in 2011, but analysts said his power and influence had become increasingly resented.