North Korea's execution of Kim's uncle Jang will test ties with China
Tying death of Kim's 'traitor' uncle to China seen as backlash for criticism
North Korea's execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek is expected to have a significant impact on ties with its biggest ally.
In a stunning downfall, Jang - the country's unofficial number two and its key figure in ties with China - was executed on Thursday immediately after a special military trial, state news agency KCNA reported.
North Korea does not really trust China … but it has no better option
State media showed a stooped and handcuffed Jang being led away from the military trial, flanked by two officers, one of whom had a hand on the back of his neck.
Pyongyang's statement called him "worse than a dog" and "despicable human scum" who planned a military coup - rhetoric often reserved in state propaganda for South Korean leaders.
Jang let in "undesirable and alien elements" to a department of the party's crucial Central Committee in a bid to "rally a group of reactionaries to be used by him for toppling the leadership of the party and state".
Two of the crimes that Jang was accused of appear to have been aimed at China.
He was accused of allowing his cronies to sell off the country's valuable resources, including coal.