Update | North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle purged, two aides executed
Man seen as North Korea's unofficial No 2 is purged, and two of his aides are executed, in the biggest change since young leader succeeded father
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, seen as the hardline regime's political regent, has apparently been purged and two associates executed, South Korea's spy agency said yesterday, nearly two years after the young supremo came to power.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) told a parliamentary committee that it believed Jang Song-thaek had been removed from all posts, including vice-chairman of the top military body, the National Defence Commission.
He was the figure who was most likely to aggressively push for reforms
If confirmed, Jang's ousting would mark the most significant purge at the top of the North Korean leadership since Kim Jong-un succeeded his late father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011.
According to the NIS briefing, Jang was "recently ousted from his position and two of his close confidants - Ri Yong-ha and Jang Soo-kil - were publicly executed in mid-November", lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae said.
North Korean military personnel had been notified of the executions, Jung said, adding that Jang, 67, had since "disappeared".
The husband of Kim Jong-il's powerful sister, Kim Kyong-hui, Jang was seen as instrumental in cementing Kim Jong-un's hold on power in the tricky transition period after his father's death.
He was often referred to as the unofficial No 2 in the hierarchy and the real power behind the throne of Kim, who is about 30.