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Kim Jong-un's uncle believed to have been ousted Kim Jong-un's uncle believed to have been ousted
(35 minutes later)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, considered the power behind the throne, is believed to have been dismissed from his posts, a South Korean politician claimed on Tuesday.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, considered the power behind the throne, is believed to have been dismissed from his posts, a South Korean politician claimed on Tuesday.
If true it would represent a major upheaval in one of the world's most secretive states.If true it would represent a major upheaval in one of the world's most secretive states.
Jang Song-taek has probably been sacked as vice-chairman of North Korea's powerful National Defence Commission and as a department head of the ruling Workers' party, the politician, Jung Cheong-rae, said citing a senior South Korean official with the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Jang Song-taek has probably been sacked as vice-chairman of North Korea's powerful National Defence Commission and as a department head of the ruling Workers' party, the politician, Jung Cheong-rae, said, citing a senior South Korean official with the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
"The briefing by an NIS senior official was that they believe Jang Song-taek has lost his posts," Jung told a news briefing."The briefing by an NIS senior official was that they believe Jang Song-taek has lost his posts," Jung told a news briefing.
Two close aides to Jang in the Workers' party had also been executed for corruption, Jung said, also citing the briefing.Two close aides to Jang in the Workers' party had also been executed for corruption, Jung said, also citing the briefing.
"Following that, the NIS said it believes Jang Song-taek has not been seen and has lost his posts," Jung told the briefing."Following that, the NIS said it believes Jang Song-taek has not been seen and has lost his posts," Jung told the briefing.
There was no immediate mention of Jang's fate on North Korea's KCNA news agency.There was no immediate mention of Jang's fate on North Korea's KCNA news agency.
Jang, who is married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, Kyong Hui, has been the central figure in a coterie of top officials and family members who worked to ensure the young and untested son of Kim Jong-il took over power when his father died in 2011.Jang, who is married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, Kyong Hui, has been the central figure in a coterie of top officials and family members who worked to ensure the young and untested son of Kim Jong-il took over power when his father died in 2011.
Jang, who is widely seen as an advocate of economic reform, was previously purged in a power struggle in 2004 under Kim Jong-il's rule but was reinstated two years later.Jang, who is widely seen as an advocate of economic reform, was previously purged in a power struggle in 2004 under Kim Jong-il's rule but was reinstated two years later.
Analysts who watch the North's power structure say Jang's removal would not have been possible without leader Kim Jong-un's approval.Analysts who watch the North's power structure say Jang's removal would not have been possible without leader Kim Jong-un's approval.
Apart from domestic political problems, North Korea is involved in a protracted standoff with the west over its nuclear weapons programme.Apart from domestic political problems, North Korea is involved in a protracted standoff with the west over its nuclear weapons programme.
This year, Kim Jong-un has threatened the United States with nuclear attack, declared a "state of war" with South Korea and announced he was restarting a plutonium reactor at the Soviet-era Yongbyon nuclear plant – all on top of conducting a third nuclear test in February and a long-range rocket test last December.This year, Kim Jong-un has threatened the United States with nuclear attack, declared a "state of war" with South Korea and announced he was restarting a plutonium reactor at the Soviet-era Yongbyon nuclear plant – all on top of conducting a third nuclear test in February and a long-range rocket test last December.
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