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N Korean leader Kim Jong-un hails execution of uncle | N Korean leader Kim Jong-un hails execution of uncle |
(about 2 hours later) | |
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has spoken of the "elimination of factionalist filth" in his first public reference to the execution of his once-powerful uncle last month. | |
In a new year message broadcast on state TV, he said "resolute action" had strengthened the country's unity. | In a new year message broadcast on state TV, he said "resolute action" had strengthened the country's unity. |
North Korea announced on 13 December it had executed Chang Song-thaek after convicting him of "acts of treachery". | North Korea announced on 13 December it had executed Chang Song-thaek after convicting him of "acts of treachery". |
The move raised concerns of instability in the secretive nuclear-armed country. | The move raised concerns of instability in the secretive nuclear-armed country. |
North Korea's new year messages are closely scrutinised by South Korea and other regional powers for clues to Pyongyang's policy goals. | |
Kim Jong-un said action to "eliminate factionalist filth" within the ruling Workers' Party had bolstered the country's unity "by 100 times". | |
'Warmongers' | |
"Our party's timely, accurate decision to purge the anti-party, anti-revolutionary elements helped greatly cement solidarity within our party," he said. | |
Mr Kim also accused South Korea and US of being "warmongers", working "frantically" to bring nuclear weapons to the peninsula. | |
An accidental conflict, he said, could trigger "an enormous nuclear catastrophe". | |
He called for the strengthening of North Korea's defence capabilities, adding that the country's dignity and the people's happiness depend on "the gun barrel". | |
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 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 2011. |
Although seen as the second-most important figure in the country, he was dramatically removed from a special party session by armed guards and stripped of all his titles. | Although seen as the second-most important figure in the country, he was dramatically removed from a special party session by armed guards and stripped of all his titles. |
The state news agency KCNA later said he had admitted at a military trial to trying to overthrow the state, and had been executed immediately. | The state news agency KCNA later said he had admitted at a military trial to trying to overthrow the state, and had been executed immediately. |
Analysts said one theory for Mr Chang's downfall was that he was too keen an admirer of China's economic reform. | Analysts said one theory for Mr Chang's downfall was that he was too keen an admirer of China's economic reform. |
The 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula technically in a state of war. | |
About 28,500 US troops are deployed in South Korea to help deter North Korean aggression. |