Free Republic

As outsiders try to figure out why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , they're focusing on a couple things. According to NPR's Frank Langfitt: — There seems have been "a lot of genuine personal dislike" between Kim and Jang Song Thaek, the uncle and until this week North Korea's second most powerful man. Kim may have been "angry that his uncle disrespected him," . According to North Korea's official news agency, Jang clapped "half-heartedly" when Kim was elected vice chairman of the country's central military commission.

Details emerging from North Korea about Kim Jong-un's surprising public purging of his uncle from a top position indicate that it was a family affair with his aunt and brother, armed with a pistol, taking part in the arrests of ranking officials. ... "What you have to understand is that the North Korean dynasty is run by an absolute blood-based hereditary mindset," pointed out Lee Yun-keol, the president of North Korea Strategic Information Service Center. The purge drama was designed by Kim Kyong-hee, Jang's wife, and Kim Jong-un, Lee said. ... The South Korean media have also been reporting that...

North Korean leader's uncle 'executed over corruption' The once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been executed after being purged for corruption, state news agency KCNA reports. Chang Song-thaek was dramatically removed from a Communist Party session by armed guards earlier this week. He was accused of forming factions against the state, corruption and "depraved" acts such as womanising and drug abuse. It was the biggest upheaval since Mr Kim succeeded his father two years ago. KCNA said Mr Chang had been executed immediately after a military trial on Thursday, calling him a "traitor" and accusing him of...

/begin my excerpts N. Korea: Jang Sung-taek Executed Immediately after Special Military Trial (Seoul=Yonhap News) Jang Yong-hoon = N. Korea held a special military trial on Dec. 12 and sentenced Jang Sung-taek to death. The sentence was carried out immediately, according to KCNA on Dec. 13. KCNA reported, "A special military trial by State Security Department of DPRK was held on Dec. 12. By 60th provision of state criminal law, it sentenced Jang to death and the sentence was carried out immediately." /end my excerpts

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday announced the execution of Kim Jong Un's uncle, calling the leader's former mentor a traitor and "worse than a dog." The announcement came only days after Pyongyang announced through state media that Jang Song Thaek — long considered the country's No. 2 power — had been removed from all his posts because of allegations of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanizing and leading a "dissolute and depraved life." Jang was seen as helping Kim Jong Un consolidate power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, two years ago. Jang was...