Kim Jong Un Says Uncle's Execution Unified North Korea

Kim Jong Un began 2014 by applauding the execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, calling it a move that made North Korea stronger.

"In the seething period of the effort for building and thriving country last year, we took the resolute measure of removing the factionalists lurking in the Party," Kim said New Years Day, alluding to the Workers' Party of Korea, CNN reported.

Jang Song Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful man in North Korea, was executed in early December 2013 for allegedly trying to overthrow his nephew. The publicized execution was considered by officials and experts around the world as Kim Jong Un's attempt to reinforce his power or a desperate move to make sure his uncle does not take over.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service said the execution might have been due to a business dispute, where Jang Song Thaek's advisors in several government sectors abused their authority, CNN reported.

North Korea's leader commended the execution for fortifying the country's power.

"As our Party detected and purged the anti-Party, counterrevolutionary factionalists at an opportune time and with a correct decision, the Party and revolutionary ranks were further consolidated and our single-hearted unity was solidified to the maximum," Kim Jong Un said, CNN reported.

This is the first time Kim Jong Un has publicly commented on the execution, CNN reported. But the leader did not mention his uncle by name during his speech, according to NBC News.

Jang Song Thaek's execution also raised concerns about the future of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Kim Jong Un addressed those concerns in his speech, saying that an outbreak of war with South Korea would result in nuclear conflict, CNN reported.

"The U.S. and South Korean war maniacs have developed legions of equipment for a nuclear war in and around the Korean Peninsula" Kim Jong Un said, according to CNN. "Should another war break out on this land, it will result in a deadly nuclear catastrophe and the United States will never be safe."

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