Kim Jong Un's Uncle Jang Song Thaek Eaten Alive by 120 Hounds? Media Skeptical of China Newspaper's Report

A Hong Kong newspaper reported in late December that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek was killed after being devoured alive by 120 hounds while 300 officials, including the "Great Successor" himself.

NBC News first picked up the story, which has not yet been, and may never be officially confirmed, on Friday. Soon after, the American media exploded with opinions on the claim, which stated that Jang was stipped naked, thrown into a cage with five other colleagues and mauled by the dogs "until they were completely eaten up," Singaporean newspaper Straits Times wrote on Dec. 24.

Wen Wei Po, a publication that USA Today reported has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, said that the "quan jue," - which translates to execution by dogs - allegedly went on for 60 minutes before Jang and his associates were killed.

Reports that Jang, a family member and close political advisor, had been executed first surfaced around the time that the dog-killing allegation was published overseas. Jang's disappearance caused many American analysts to speculate about the Kim regime's fate, the Associated Press reported at the time.

But there was never any confirmation as to whether Jang had been shot by firing squad - as is usually done in Pyongyang when it comes to execution, TIME reported. There might never be, either - North Korean goings-on are kept under wraps completely, and access to the country is limited.

Speculation immediately arose following the news.

USA Today stated that there has been no official word from North Korean officials on the manner in which the execution of Jang was performed. TIME doubted whether Wen Wei Po was a credible news source, and cited the New York Times' report that Jang's associates were killed with antiaircraft guns and Jang was executed "by more traditional means."