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North Korea 'summons business people from China' | North Korea 'summons business people from China' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
North Korean business people are being recalled from China following the execution of top official, Chang Song-thaek, says a South Korean report. | North Korean business people are being recalled from China following the execution of top official, Chang Song-thaek, says a South Korean report. |
Leader Kim Jong-un may be purging associates of Mr Chang, who was in charge of economic ties with China. | Leader Kim Jong-un may be purging associates of Mr Chang, who was in charge of economic ties with China. |
Mr Kim has been pictured by state media for the first time since the execution of Mr Chang, his uncle. | Mr Kim has been pictured by state media for the first time since the execution of Mr Chang, his uncle. |
The South Korean government believes Kim Jong-un is trying to consolidate his power through a reign of terror. | The South Korean government believes Kim Jong-un is trying to consolidate his power through a reign of terror. |
The execution of the leader's uncle on Friday raised international concern about the stability of the nuclear-armed state. | The execution of the leader's uncle on Friday raised international concern about the stability of the nuclear-armed state. |
North Korea has summoned back business people working out of the north-eastern Chinese cities of Shenyang and Dandong, sources told the South Korean news agency Yonhap. | North Korea has summoned back business people working out of the north-eastern Chinese cities of Shenyang and Dandong, sources told the South Korean news agency Yonhap. |
They are in China to enhance bilateral trade and investment. | They are in China to enhance bilateral trade and investment. |
Another source told the agency Pyongyang planned to bring all officials and staff home from China in stages. | Another source told the agency Pyongyang planned to bring all officials and staff home from China in stages. |
It appeared to be a crackdown on those perceived as loyal to Mr Chang, Yonhap said. | It appeared to be a crackdown on those perceived as loyal to Mr Chang, Yonhap said. |
It could also be another sign that Mr Chang's downfall reflected discomfort at his enthusiasm for Chinese-style economic reform. | It could also be another sign that Mr Chang's downfall reflected discomfort at his enthusiasm for Chinese-style economic reform. |
There have been other reports over recent days about officials being recalled to North Korea from abroad. | There have been other reports over recent days about officials being recalled to North Korea from abroad. |
South Korean intelligence officials say two of Mr Chang's closest aides were executed last month, and analysts suggest the purging of such a high-profile figure is unlikely to take place without a "ripple effect" - a purge of others linked to them. | South Korean intelligence officials say two of Mr Chang's closest aides were executed last month, and analysts suggest the purging of such a high-profile figure is unlikely to take place without a "ripple effect" - a purge of others linked to them. |
Mr Kim was pictured in photographs released by state media for the first time since the dramatic execution of Mr Chang on Thursday following a military trial. | Mr Kim was pictured in photographs released by state media for the first time since the dramatic execution of Mr Chang on Thursday following a military trial. |
He was shown touring a military design institute, trailed by military officers, many taking notes. Among them was Mr Kim's personal envoy, Vice-Marshal Choe Ryong-hae. | He was shown touring a military design institute, trailed by military officers, many taking notes. Among them was Mr Kim's personal envoy, Vice-Marshal Choe Ryong-hae. |
The pictures appeared designed to demonstrate Mr Kim's continuing hold on power and "business as usual" for the North Korean leadership, said commentators. | The pictures appeared designed to demonstrate Mr Kim's continuing hold on power and "business as usual" for the North Korean leadership, said commentators. |
The images will also be scrutinised for clues to Mr Kim's inner circle, analysts say. | |
Among those pictured in the latest photographs are believed Hwang Pyong-so, vice departmental director of Party Central Committee (not in military uniform), Choe Ryong-hae, vice-marshal of the armed forces, and Jang Jong-nam, the nation's new defence minister. | |
Mr Chang was married to the sister of late leader Kim Jong-il, and is believed to have mentored Kim Jong-un when he succeeded his father in North Korea in 2011. | Mr Chang was married to the sister of late leader Kim Jong-il, and is believed to have mentored Kim Jong-un when he succeeded his father in North Korea in 2011. |
He had been seen as the second-most important figure in the country, holding several key posts, but last week was shown being dramatically removed from a special party session by armed guards and stripped of all his titles before his execution days later. | He had been seen as the second-most important figure in the country, holding several key posts, but last week was shown being dramatically removed from a special party session by armed guards and stripped of all his titles before his execution days later. |
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