Most officials from Jang Song Thaek’s government department have been demoted to the lowest ranks of North Korea’s Worker’s Party. The members of North Korea’s Administrative Department have also been eliminated from future appointments.

The officials have been reallocated to construction projects in various parts of the region, according to an internal source. Those who dared to protest against this have been forced into farm villages and mines. Witnesses state that various members questioned the new placement, demanding a reason through a letter to North Korea’s central complaint office. This person was shortly placed to a mine construction project.

Similar cases have been reported numerously, including regions from Hamgyong province, Hoeryong city, and jangang province. These movements are perceived to be coming from the Organization and Guidance Department, which mainly deals with personnel appointments and security affairs, and directly dealt with Jang’s execution as well.


Political appointments

Sources also state that this fall from grace also comes with being excluded from any opportunity to rise again in rank.

“These officials have been completely excluded from the political agenda,” the source stated.

Sources stated that the command of Jang’s execution is questionable; particularly focusing on whether or not Kim himself had given the final word.

Sources inside North Korea had told RFA earlier that Kim was already purging the country's military officer corps of personnel linked to Jang in a massive shake-up that had led to a freeze on military exercises and delayed replacement of cadres in the ruling party but raised promotion prospects for younger officers.

Jang Song Thaek had led the Workers’ Party Administrative Department since 2007 and had managed documents between the party’s Central Committee and the National Defense Commission.

 Source: RFA