Jang Sung-taek
North Korean Politician
Died when: 67 years 313 days (814 months)Star Sign: Aquarius
Jang Song-thaek (January or February 1946 – 12 December 2013) was a leading figure in the government of North Korea.He was married to Kim Kyong-hui, the only daughter of North Korean Premier Kim Il-sung and his first wife Kim Jong-suk, and only sister of North Korean general secretary Kim Jong-il.
He was therefore the uncle (by marriage) of current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un.The extent of Jang Song-thaek's power and position has not been confirmed in the West.
However, in 2008 South Korean government officials and academic North Korea experts suggested that he had de facto leadership over North Korea while Kim Jong-il's health was declining and when Kim subsequently died.
Jang was vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, a position considered second only to that of the Supreme Leader.He is believed to have been promoted to four-star general around the time of Kim Jong-il's death in December 2011, as his first appearance in uniform was while visiting Kim lying in state.
Jang was considered a "key policy adviser" to Kim Jong-un.In December 2013, Jang was abruptly accused of being a counter-revolutionary and was stripped of all his posts and expelled from the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
His photos were removed from official media and his image digitally removed from photos with other North Korean leaders.On 13 December, North Korea state media announced he had been executed.
