Campus News

Political purge

Following the news in December that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had his uncle and former adviser, Jang Song Thaek, executed, several international media outlets turned to Han Park, University Professor of International Affairs in the School of Public and International Affairs.

In an interview with CNN, Park offered a possible explanation for why North Korea executed the man who once held a high-ranking position.

“This man (Jang) has always been a little more individualistic and embracing capitalism and lifestyle that is not acceptable to North Korea,” Park said on CNN.

Park also was asked about what the execution meant for North Korea’s leadership structure moving forward.

“The future is somewhat uncertain as far as the leadership transformation is concerned,” Park said.