Tuesday, December 10, 2013

How North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Purged His Uncle



How Kim Jong Un Purged His Uncle -- Frida Ghitis, CNN

(CNN) -- The chilling images from North Korea brought back memories from one of the most disturbing and important moments of none other than Saddam Hussein's tactics for establishing his iron-clad rule of Iraq. The young North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, it appears, has learned from the most ruthless and long-lasting of modern dictators.

On Monday, North Korea's citizens saw what would have seemed impossible just a few months ago: The man who had stood at Kim's side since he came to power, his uncle Jang Song Thaek, publicly humiliated in a shake-up that signals a fierce power struggle and sends a stern message to the country and the world.

The televised footage showed what unfolded during the meeting of the party's Central Committee, reportedly the day before. In a room of stunned party members, two uniformed soldiers grabbed Jang -- until recently the country's second most powerful man -- and took him away after he was accused of betraying Kim and the revolution.

Read more ....

Update #1: Purge sends chilling message to NKorea’s elite -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: North Korea, the purge of Jiang "is a clear message. Kim doesn't need a No. 2" -- Asia News

My Comment: Christopher Hitchens speech in explaining the psychology involved in conducting a purge is a must see .... a psychology that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is now clearly employing.

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