DHAKA: The once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was executed after being purged for corruption, state news agency KCNA reports.

Chang Song-thaek was dramatically removed from a Communist Party session by armed guards earlier this week.

It was the biggest upheaval since Mr Kim succeeded his father two years ago.

KCNA said Mr Chang had admitted at a military trial on Thursday to attempting to overthrow the state, and was executed immediately.

Mr Chang, who had mentored his nephew during the leadership transition from Kim Jong-il to his son Kim Jong-un in 2011, was "worse than a dog", said the agency.

He had admitted abusing his positions of responsibility to form a faction against the state and to harbouring his own political ambitions, it said.

Mr Chang married to the elder Kim`s sister had held senior posts in the ruling party and the National Defense Commission, the North`s top military body.

He was frequently pictured alongside his nephew and seen by some observers as the power behind the throne.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0445 HRS, DEC 13, 2013