North Korea Executes Kim Jong-un's Uncle as a Traitor

Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un's mentor

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jang Song-thaek was a mentor to the young North Korean dictator until he was publicly purged last week.

The once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been executed for treason after being branded "despicable human scum", according to the state news agency.

Jang Song-thaek was a mentor to the young North Korean dictator and one of the regime's most influential figures until he was publicly purged last week.

Video showed the 67-year-old Mr Jang being dragged out of his seat by police at a government meeting and official North Korean photographs were quickly doctored to remove all traces of him.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced the execution of the man it described as "a traitor to the nation for all ages".

"Despicable human scum Jang, who was worse than a dog, perpetrated thrice-cursed acts of treachery in betrayal of such profound trust and warmest paternal love shown by the party and the leader for him," the agency said. » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Thursday, December 12, 2013