North Korean Head of State Kim Jong-Un Executes Uncle Jang Song Thaek for Plotting Against Government
Jang Song Thaek, previously considered to be one of the most powerful people in North Korea, has been executed by the government.
Mr Thaek, the uncle of the youngest head of state in the world - Kim Jong-Un, was found guilty of betrayal by a special military tribunal, Reuters reports. According to the official news agency of North Korea - KCNA, Mr Thaek led a minority group after putting 'Jong-Undesirable forces' together. This, according to the state, is a hideous crime as the group attempted to overthrow the Supreme Leader (head of state) of North Korea, Mr Jong-Un. Mr Thaek was seen in handcuffs on the Friday edition of the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper. He was held by Jong-Uniformed policemen as he faced the trial.
KCNA further reports that Mr Thaek possessed a 'dirty political ambition.' He could not do much about it when Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung were alive. Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung are the respective names of the father and the grandfather of the present Supreme Leader of North Korea, Mr Jong-Un. They were the previous Supreme Leaders of the country. The newspaper also mentioned that Mr Thaek started showing his true colours after Mr Jong-Un became the head of state. He thought that it was time to realise his 'wild' political ambition.
The Globe and Mail mentions that KCNA has called Mr Thaek 'worse than a dog.' Mr Thaek was earlier stripped off all his responsibilities and designations as there were several allegations against him regarding drug abuse, gambling, corruption, womanising and others. KCNA has also termed Mr Thaek as 'a traitor to the nation'.
According to some analysts, such a stern step by the government shows the growing confidence of Mr Jong-Un. Alternatively, there are apprehensions that the government may suffer from instability as Mr Thaek was the strongest influence in the political prospect of the country after the head of state.