Monday, December 9, 2013

Tensions Rising In North Korea As North Korea Confirms The Ousting Of Kim Jong Un’s Powerful Uncle



Kim Jong Un Purges No. 2, Jang Song Thaek -- Gordon G. Chang, Daily Beast

The demotion of the North Korean leader’s second in command is a sign of deep turmoil in Pyongyang’s snake pit.

Jang Song Thaek, often described as the No. 2 figure in the North Korean regime, has been purged from Kim Jong Un’s side, losing all posts of consequence. He was last seen in public on November 6, and two of his aides were publicly executed late last month. So say two South Korean legislators citing a briefing from the country’s National Intelligence Service. The news, if true, suggests the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will enter a new period of instability.

Most analysts, however, believe the opposite—that the apparent sacking confirms that Kim Jong Un, the North’s young ruler, quickly consolidated power after the unexpected death of his predecessor, his father Kim Jong Il, in December 2011. If Kim the Younger was not in a powerful position, the reasoning goes, he would not have felt secure enough to get rid of Jang.

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More News On The Turmoil In The North Korean Government

North Korea Releases List of Accusations Against Purged Official -- New York Times
North Korea confirms purge of Kim Jong Un’s uncle, describes ‘anti-state’ crimes -- Washington Post
North Korea purges Kim Jong Un’s powerful uncle -- Washington Post/AP
North Korea Confirms Purge of Kim Jong Un's Uncle -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea acknowledges Kim Jong Un's uncle removed from power -- FOX News
North Korea says Kim's uncle dismissed for 'criminal acts' -- Reuters
North Korea confirms ouster of Kim Jong Un's uncle from military post -- CNN
North Korea: Kim's Uncle Sacked for ‘Criminal Acts’ -- Voice of America
North Korea Says Kim Purged Uncle for Faction-Building, Graft -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Rising Tension Seen In North Korea And At Sea Border -- New York Times

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