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Uncle dismissed by North Korean leader found safe Uncle dismissed by North Korean leader said to be safe
(about 2 hours later)
The uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is alive and appears to be safe, South Korea's unification minister said on Wednesday, a day after the National Intelligence Service in South Korea said he had been removed from two powerful positions. An uncle of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, is alive and appears to be safe, South Korea's unification minister said on Wednesday, a day after the National Intelligence Service in South Korea said he had been removed from two powerful positions.
Jang Song Thaek, considered the second most powerful man in North Korea was last seen in public in early November at a basketball match between North Korean and Japanese teams in Pyongyang.Jang Song Thaek, considered the second most powerful man in North Korea was last seen in public in early November at a basketball match between North Korean and Japanese teams in Pyongyang.
"I understand that Jang Song Thaek is not in any physical danger," unification minister Ryoo Kihl-jae told politicians gathered at an emergency meeting in Seoul. "I understand that Jang Song Thaek is not in any physical danger," the unification minister, Ryoo Kihl-jae, told politicians gathered at an emergency meeting in Seoul.
The meeting was called to discuss the reshuffle in the north, which technically remains in a state of war with the south after their 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a truce.The meeting was called to discuss the reshuffle in the north, which technically remains in a state of war with the south after their 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a truce.
Jang's wife, Kim Kyong Hui, also appeared to be safe, Ryoo added, but he declined to comment further.Jang's wife, Kim Kyong Hui, also appeared to be safe, Ryoo added, but he declined to comment further.
Jang has survived previous purges and official displeasure, thanks largely to his sometimes tempestuous marriage to Kim Kyong Hui, the daughter of North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung. Jang has survived previous purges and official displeasure, thanks largely to his sometimes tempestuous marriage to Kim Kyong-hui, the daughter of North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung.
Intelligence officials in the south said they believed that two close associates of Jang were executed for corruption last month.Intelligence officials in the south said they believed that two close associates of Jang were executed for corruption last month.
Jang was likely sacked as vice-chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission and as a department head of the ruling Workers' party, MP Jung Cheong-rae said, citing a senior South Korean official with the National Intelligence Service. Jang was probably sacked as vice-chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission and as a department head of the ruling Workers' party, MP Jung Cheong-rae said, citing a senior South Korean official with the National Intelligence Service.
Analysts say Jang's removal would not have been possible without the approval of the third Kim to rule North Korea.Analysts say Jang's removal would not have been possible without the approval of the third Kim to rule North Korea.
The move is likely to increase the clout of another close aide, Choe Ryong Hae, the top political operative for the army, which could mean a symbolic victory for the 1.2-million-strong military.The move is likely to increase the clout of another close aide, Choe Ryong Hae, the top political operative for the army, which could mean a symbolic victory for the 1.2-million-strong military.
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