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North Korea executes high-level official, charging leader’s uncle was a traitor

Until his sudden execution, Jang Song Thaek was considered to be the second most powerful figure in North Korea. The late Jang, who was married to the aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, had gained power when Kim’s father and predecessor suffered a stroke. Kwame Holman reports on his remarkable demise.

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  • JUDY WOODRUFF:

    Now to North Korea.

    The execution of one of the isolated country's highest-ranking officials is raising questions about its stability.

    NewsHour correspondent Kwame Holman begins our report.

  • KWAME HOLMAN:

    Until very recently, Jang Song Thaek was considered the second-most powerful figure in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. But on state TV today, his remarkable demise was made official.

  • NEWS ANCHOR (through interpreter):

    The special military tribunal of the Ministry of State Security of North Korea condemned Jang Song Thaek as a wicked political careerist, trickster and traitor, in the name of the revolution, and the people ruled that he would be sentenced to death. The decision was immediately executed.

  • KWAME HOLMAN:

    Married to the aunt of leader Kim Jong-un, Jang ascended the country's ranks rapidly following the stroke of Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, in 2008. And he rose further still following Kim's death in 2011.

    Though not a career military man, he was made a four-star general and was fond of appearing in his white military uniform at state events. He played a key role in shaping economic policy and was considered the architect of the country's joint ventures with neighboring China.

    However, in Beijing today, a spokesman was tight-lipped regarding the news of his death.

  • HONG LEI, Chinese Foreign Ministry (through interpreter):

    This is North Korea's own internal affair. As a neighboring country, we hope for North Korea to maintain stability, economic development, and a happy livelihood for its people.

  • KWAME HOLMAN:

    As with word of his execution, Jang's removal from office was broadcast on state TV earlier this week, as the 67-year-old was taken from a Central Committee meeting by uniformed guards. He was accused of a litany of crimes, from gambling away $6.3 million, to womanizing, to attempting to overthrow the leadership, to not showing proper enthusiasm for his nephew's achievements.

    In Seoul, South Korea, the high-level purge has put officials on guard.

  • RYOO KIHL-JAE, South Korean Unification Minister (through interpreter):

    Generally, in the past, we have seen that efforts to crack down on internal insecurities then lead to external provocations. We are paying close attention to such a possibility this time as well.

  • KWAME HOLMAN:

    Next week, the country marks the two-year anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death.