South Korean defense ministry is worried North Korea might attempt an armed provocation early next year as political tensions in Pyongyang rise after the execution of leader Kim Jong Un's powerful uncle Jang Song Thaek. The defense ministry says North Korea might attempt military provocations in a bid to strengthen internal unity. A Defense ministry spokesman says that competitive displays of loyalty make it highly likely the North will attempt provocations next year, between January and March. Jang Song Thaek was purged and then executed last week, a period South Korean President Park Geun-hye describes as a "reign of terror". North Korea said earlier it had stripped Jang of his power and positions, and accused him of criminal acts including mismanagement of the state financial system, womanizing and alcohol abuse. North Korean politics are virtually impenetrable from outside, and Jang could have been purged over a falling out with Kim or other personal reasons. The young Kim has carried out two long-range missile tests and a nuclear weapons test in defiance of U.N. sanctions since he took control two years ago, after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oH7a5Oio4s FAIR USE NOTICE: This Video may contain copyrighted (©) material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text

• published: 17 Dec 2013
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