Kim Jong-Un Orders Execution of Uncle's Kin, Including Children

SEOUL, South Korea – The North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, has allegedly ordered the execution of direct relatives of his uncle Jang Song-Thaek including small children, according to a South Korean news agency report.

The 67-year old and once-powerful Jang was himself executed upon orders from his nephew last month, after being accused of plotting to overthrow the Kim government, among other crimes against the state.

“Extensive executions have been carried out for relatives of Jang Song-thaek,” one anonymous source reportedly said. “All relatives of Jang have been put to death, including even children.”

Among those executed were direct relatives of Jang including his sister, Jang Kye-sun and her husband who is also an ambassador to Cuba , Jon Yong-jin, Ambassador to Malaysia Jang Yong-chol , a nephew of Jang, and his two sons, according to sources.

Although it was not immediately known when the victims were killed, sources believed it may been carried out right after Jang’s execution last December 12.

Both ambassador and their family were said to be recalled to Pyongyang by the North Korean government, and killed, including grandchildren of the Jang’s two brothers.

“Some relatives were shot to death by pistol in front of other people if they resisted while being dragged out of their apartment homes,” another source recalled.

However, some relatives by marriage were spared from execution, including the Malaysian Ambassador’s wife, who was sent instead to a remote village.

Although this report of the Yonhap News Agency has yet to be corroborated, such incident is not altogether far-fetch in a North Korean culture, where ‘guilt by association’ prevailed for decades.

Relatives of those who were either accused or found guilty of crimes similarly suffered punishment, including death.

The purge of the entire family of Jang is believed to be Kim’s effort to ‘erase’ traces of his uncle’s tyranny.

“The executions of Jang’s relatives mean that no traces of him should be left. The purge of the Jang Song-thaek people is under way on an extensive scale from relatives and low-level officials,” the source continued.

Jang Song-thaek’s execution shocked the world as he was previously regarded as Kim’s political mentor and the second most powerful man in the ultra-reclusive state.

He is the brother-in-law of Kim Jong-Il, the current dictator’s father.

By Ron Estur