SEOUL: North Korea’s deputy ambassador to Unesco returned home yesterday after being recalled as part of a purge prompted by the execution of the once-powerful uncle of leader Kim Jong-Un, a report said.
Jang Song-Thaek, once the North’s unofficial number two and Kim’s political mentor, was put to death on December 12 on an array of charges including treason and corruption.
The shock purge -- staged in an unusually dramatic and public fashion in the isolated communist state -- was the biggest political upheaval since the young ruler took power after the death of his father and the former leader, Kim Jong-Il, two years ago.
Seoul’s spy chief earlier this month said two of Jang’s associates had also been executed, while Pyongyang reportedly recalled some diplomats or trade officials overseas who were believed to have been close to Jang.
Hong Yong, the North’s deputy permanent delegate to Unesco, and his wife were spotted at Beijing airport yesterday before taking the flight to Pyongyang, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said.
Hong, one of Jang’s associates, took the post only six months ago, it said, quoting a diplomatic source in Beijing.
Yonhap said earlier this month that Jang’s nephew and the North’s ambassador to Malaysia, Jang Yong-Chol, had been recalled.
It said last week the North’s ambassador to Sweden, Pak Kwang-Chol, and his wife had also been summoned back to Pyongyang. AFP
