Jang Song Thaek dismissed, confidants executed – S. Korean lawmaker

Disappearance of leadership heavyweight could have serious ramifications, if true.

by Chad O’Carroll , December 3, 2013

Jang Song Taek, an influential advisor to the Kim family and the uncle of Kim Jong Un, has ‘likely’ been removed from power, South Korean lawmaker Jung Cheong-ra told media on Tuesday.

The lawmaker, citing information made available during a meeting with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), said that ”multiple reliable sources” had indicated Jang to have been removed from power and two of his closest confidants, now named as Ri Ryong Ha and Jang Su Gil, had been executed – for corruption and activities that countered the goals of the Korean Worker’s Party.