Obsequiousness Preserves

Perhaps there is little doubt that Jang Song Thaek, avuncular aide and mentor to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un felt entitled to behave nonchalantly even in the presence of his glorious nephew. After all, who groomed the precious leader if not uncle Jang and his wife Kyong Hui, only daughter of late President Kim Il Sung, Jong Un's auntie?

They carefully taught him all that he knows, how to consolidate power, how to render perceived opponents void and extinct by accusing them of crimes answerable to execution? Above all, respect must never be seen to be withheld from the great leader. Expressing self-confidence while in the presence of Kim Jong Un must surely be taken as a token of disrespect to his power.

One can still imagine that Jang Song Thaek thought of himself as indispensable, his advice and steady hand would always be seen by his nephew as the pedestal upon which his crown rested. So indispensable that a manner akin to insouciance could be held to be insubordination to the great ruler. An astute man, surely capable of reading auguries, he must have felt something amiss.

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) applauds at the start of a 8 December 2013 expanded KWP Political Bureau meeting (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Particularly in the wake of two of his closest confidants having displeased to the point of summary execution. If ministers of defence can be purged and army chiefs replaced under the military-first rule of Kim Jong Un taking up where his father left off, there is no one whose life cannot be upended, who can suddenly experience a fall from grace, stunning as it appeared.

Senior DPRK officials observe Jang’s removal from the 8 December 2013 meeting: Joint Venture and Investment Commission Vice Chairman and Senior Deputy Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department Ri Chol (1) and Deputy Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department Hwang Pyong So (2) (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

State TV showed dear uncle of dear leader being stripped of all his many titles at Sunday's party meeting orchestrated by Mr. Kim. No more neat general's uniform for Mr. Jang, but civilian attire, a true come-down, but entirely in concert with the man-handling he was then exposed to, ripped out of his seat, and hauled off to imprisonment. Surely a temporary accommodation.

His transgressions, instigating party dissent, attempting to acquire more power and influence for himself, committing anti-party, counterrevolutionary acts, double-dealing and consorting with loose women, gambling, misappropriating party funds -- a shopping list of indefensible acts of treason worthy of execution.

Can auntie Kim Kyong-hui be far behind her husband? Or has she already been forgiven by having previously distanced herself from the unfortunately presumptuous Jang Song Thaek?

Business as usual in the Republic Kingdom of North Korea.