Jang Song-thaek

Biography

Jang Song-thaek was a North Korean politician who served as vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position considered second only to that of the Supreme Leader. As the uncle of North Korea's current leader, Kim Jong Un, he was seen as a key policy adviser. Jang's power and position were questioned after his abrupt expulsion from the Workers' Party of Korea in 2013, and he was later executed by firing squad.