The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff warned on Thursday that the execution of Kim Jong-un’s uncle could be a prelude to provocations from North Korea.
 
During a joint news conference at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said internal actions by dictators, such as Jang Song-thaek’s execution, often come before provocations to distract from what is going on inside the country.
 
Hagel said the unpredictability of North Korea’s actions is very concerning to everyone. He said the uncertainty heightens tensions and further deepens the suspicions of Pyongyang's motives.