Anchor: Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, married into the Kim dynasty more than 40 years ago. But after surviving decades of political purges at the center of power, North Korea says Jang has been purged and executed. Our Kim Soyon has the story of Jang’s downfall.
 
Report: Once considered the second most influential figure of the Kim Jong-un regime, Jang Song-thaek’s final hours were far from the privilege and power he enjoyed for decades as brother-in-law to late leader Kim Jong-il.

Photos show Jang at military tribunal on Thursday with his hands tied and his neck and arms held by officers. It is believed he was executed shortly after.
 
Jang was born into an ordinary family in 1946, but his life took a dramatic turn when he married Kim Jong-il's younger sister Kim Kyong-hui in 1972. He met her during his years at Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang.
 
Kim Jong-il's father and founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, objected to the marriage, but Kim Jong-il was close to Jang and supported the union.
 
Jang served hard labor for two years in the mid-1970s for being accused of over indulging in alcohol and entertainment. But he returned to the Workers' Party and assumed a senior party post in 1995.
 
In 2004, he was again cast out from the center of power over accusations of attending a posh wedding and creating factions. However, analysts said Kim Jong-il acted to curb Jang's growing power.  
 
With the help of his wife, Jang returned to power in 2007 as the director of the Administrative Department of the Workers' Party.
 
When Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke in 2008, Jang quickly surfaced as the second highest in command. In 2010, Jang became the vice chairman of the North's National Defense Commission. He also led the North’s intelligence agency and the police.
 
During the height of Jang's power in the regime, the North’s Korean Central Television aired unprecedented video footage showing him being inattentive while Kim Jong-un gave speeches or inspected his military. Jang’s demeanor while in public with Kim gave him the image of the second in command if not the most powerful guardian behind his nephew.
 
In its ruling Thursday, the North Korean military court first mentioned Jang's insolent attitude. He was executed for treason just four days after his arrest.
Kim Soyon, KBS World Radio News.