Jang Song-thaek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General of the Army
Jang Song-thaek
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| 장성택 | |
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| Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission | |
| In office 7 June 2010 – 8 December 2013 |
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| Supreme Leader | Kim Jong-il Kim Jong-un |
| Preceded by | Kim Yong-chun |
| Succeeded by | Choe Ryong-hae |
| Minister of State Security | |
| In office 4 November 1999 – 8 December 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Kim Jong-il |
| Succeeded by | U Tong-chuk |
| Chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission | |
| In office 4 November 2012 – 8 December 2013 |
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| Premier | Pak Pong-ju |
| Supreme Leader | Kim Jong-un |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Choe Ryong-hae |
| Chief of the Central Administrative Department of Workers' Party | |
| In office 11 October 2007 – 8 December 2013 |
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| Supreme Leader | Kim Jong-il Kim Jong-un |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Kim Ki-nam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 January 1946 Chongjin, Soviet-occupied Northern Korea |
| Died | 12 December 2013 (aged 67) Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Cause of death | Executed by firing squad |
| Political party | Workers' Party of Korea (expelled 2013) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Jang Kum-song (1977–2006) |
| Relatives |
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| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl |
장성택
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| Hancha |
張成澤
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| Revised Romanization | Jang Seong-taek |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chang Sŏngt'aek |
Jang Song-thaek (born in January or February 1946 – died 12 December 2013) was a very important person in the government of North Korea. He was married to Kim Kyong-hui, who was the only daughter of North Korean Premier Kim Il-sung. This made Jang Song-thaek the uncle (by marriage) of the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un.
Many people outside North Korea were unsure how much power Jang Song-thaek truly had. However, some experts believed he was a key leader when Kim Jong-il was ill and after he passed away. Jang was the vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission. This job was considered second only to the country's top leader. He was also seen as a main advisor to Kim Jong-un. In December 2013, Jang was accused of acting against the government. He lost all his jobs and was removed from the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. His pictures were taken down from official news and websites. On 13 December, North Korean state media announced that he had been removed from power.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
Jang was born in Chongjin, a city in northern Korea. He went to Moscow State University in Russia from 1968 to 1972. After returning home, he married Kim Kyong-hui in 1972. She was the younger sister of Kim Jong-il, who later became the leader of North Korea.
Jang and Kim Kyong-hui had a daughter named Jang Kum-song (1977–2006). She lived in Paris as a student. Reports say she passed away in September 2006.
Starting His Career in North Korea
Jang began working for the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in the 1970s. His first job was as an instructor in Pyongyang. Later, his career slowed down when he was sent to manage a steel factory. Some reports said he was becoming too powerful. Others suggested he was living too lavishly.
His career improved, and he became a director in the Youth Work Department in 1985. In 1986, he was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly, which is North Korea's parliament.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1989, Jang was honored as a People's Hero. He also became a member of the Workers' Party's Central Committee. In 1992, he received the Order of Kim Il-sung. He was part of the funeral committee when Kim Il-sung died in 1994.
In 1995, Jang became a top deputy director in the WPK. Some thought he might even become the next leader after Kim Jong-il. However, in 2004, reports said he had been removed from his position. Some believed he was under house arrest. Others thought he was sent for "reeducation."
Returning to Power
Jang reappeared in March 2006, traveling with Kim Jong-il to China. In October 2007, he was promoted to a new important role in the Workers' Party. He was in charge of police, courts, and internal security.
In April 2009, he was elected to the National Defence Commission (NDC). This was North Korea's main decision-making group. In 2010, he became the vice-chairman of the NDC. This made him a very important figure, second only to Kim Jong-il. Many believed this move was to help prepare Kim Jong-un to become the next leader.
Jang's Role Under Kim Jong-un
After Kim Jong-il passed away in December 2011, Jang Song-thaek was seen wearing a general's uniform on North Korean television. This showed he had a key role in the military. His importance was also clear during his visit to China in 2012. He met with top Chinese leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao. Jang led a group working on economic zones between China and North Korea. He said that Kim Jong-un believed strong ties with China were very important.
In November 2012, a new sports commission was created, and Jang was made its first chairman. Some experts thought this might mean his political power was changing. In January 2013, there was talk that Jang had been promoted even further. He was thought to be a top member of the Politburo Presidium, a very high-level group.
Jang also supported building a new bridge over the Yalu River connecting North Korea and China. This bridge was almost finished by December 2013.
His Downfall
In November 2013, two of Jang's senior assistants were removed from their positions. Soon after, Jang was no longer seen in public. On 3 December, he was dismissed from his job. His appearances were removed from news reports on state television.
On 8 December, Jang Song-thaek was publicly removed from the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. State media said he had committed "anti-party, counter-revolutionary acts." They accused him of having "politically-motivated ambition" and causing problems for the country's economy.
His removal was even shown on state television. This was a very public event for a high-ranking official. A long statement was released, calling Jang "despicable human scum" and accusing him of trying to "destabilize and bring down the DPRK." The statement also said he had allowed "decadent capitalist lifestyle" into society.
End of His Life
On 12 December 2013, Jang was tried by a special military court. State media reported that he was removed from power.
Some experts believed that Jang's removal showed a shift in North Korea. They thought it meant that those who wanted economic development were losing influence. Others argued that Jang's role had been exaggerated. They pointed out that some of his close associates kept their jobs. They also noted that Kim Jong-un's government continued to focus on economic improvements.
Aftermath and Reactions
After Jang's removal, some thought other top officials might also be removed. However, Jang's widow, Kim Kyong-hui, and other officials remained in their positions. North Korean news outlets began deleting all references to Jang from their websites.
Many countries reacted to the news.
- South Korea held security meetings. President Park Geun-hye said North Korea was using "a reign of terror."
- China called it a "domestic issue" but watched the situation closely.
- Japan also said it was monitoring the situation.
- Sweden called the event "Stalinist" and a sign of "an empire of horror."
- United Kingdom officials called it "another example of the extreme brutality of the North Korean regime."
- United States officials said they had "no reason to doubt" the reports and called it "another example of the extreme brutality." Secretary of State John F. Kerry described Kim Jong-un as "ruthless and reckless."
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the reports "very dramatic and surprising." He asked for calm and urged North Korea to follow international rules.
Suspected Alive Status
Former U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman visited North Korea in January 2014. He later claimed that Jang Song-thaek was not removed from power as reported. Rodman said Jang was behind him in a photo. He also said another official, Hyon Song-wol, was alive, which was later confirmed. Some others also suggested that Jang might have been placed under house arrest instead.
Images for kids
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Jang Song-thaek
