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North Korean Power Struggle and the Execution that Followed

An Intelligence agency in South Korea suggested a business dispute between Jong Un and his uncle may have been the reason behind the execution relayed  a lawmaker on Monday. His uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was contributory to Kim’s rise in power, but the leader had him executed on charges of trying to overthrow the government.

According to analysts, there are many reasons why Kim decided to turn against his uncle and have him publicly executed, even saying there was a struggle for power. Getting to the truth will be impossible because North Korea is so reclusive, but agents from the South Korea’s Intelligence Service are determined to get as much information about Jang’s demise.

Agency head, Nam Jae-joon made little of a theory of power struggles between Kim and his uncle, said Jeong Chung-rae, a lawmaker from the United Democratic Party. Analysis from the agency says, Jang’s aids overstepped their authority during business projects creating conflicts with government agencies, because of that, Kim stepped in and demanded the conflicts be resolved. That order was not carried out by Jang, and that decision may have cost him his life. “Jang was purged for violating the supreme leadership, according to the NIS report,” Jeong Chung-rae said.

The North Korea media made references to business wrongdoings by Jang. “The Jang group put under its control the fields and units which play an important role in the nation’s economic development and the improvement of people’s living in a crafty manner, making it impossible for the economic guidance organs including the Cabinet to perform their roles,” the state news agency said in the official report announcing Jang’s removal from his posts. Images of Jang being dragged out of a meeting were demonstrated in a choreographed event to demonstrate Kim’s power.

Jang was close to Chinese Officials and coud have been more open minded about capitalist forms of economic development than other members of the regime. The regime continues to investigate agencies under Jang’s control.

Image Credit: 24-7pop.com

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