Despicable Human Scum': North Korea Executes Kim Jong Un's Uncle As 'Traitor For All Ages

North Korea's official news agency reported Thursday that Kim Jong Un's uncle has been executed as a traitor who "perpetrated anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts in a bid to overthrow the leadership of our party and state and the socialist system."

FILE - Jang Song Thaek served as North Korea's vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission before the country's official news agency reported he was executed Thursday. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Li Xin, File)

The Korean Central News Agency described Jang Song Thaek as a "traitor for all ages" and said he was executed for his alleged "wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state."

"[D]espicable human scum Jang, who was worse than a dog, perpetrated thrice-cursed acts of treachery in betrayal of such profound trust and warmest paternal love shown by the party and the leader for him," KCNA reported.

According to KCNA, Jang admitted to the charges and was proven guilty by a tribunal that examined his case.

The announcement came only days after Pyongyang announced through state media that Jang Song Thaek — long considered the country's No. 2 power — had been removed from all his posts because of allegations of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanizing and leading a "dissolute and depraved life."

Jang was seen as helping Kim Jong Un consolidate power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, two years ago. Jang was the latest and most significant in a series of personnel reshuffles that Kim has conducted in an apparent effort to bolster his power.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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