North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has spoken of the “elimination of factionalist filth” in his first public reference to the execution of his once-powerful uncle last month.

In a new year message broadcast on state TV, he said “resolute action” had strengthened the country’s unity.

North Korea announced on 13 December it had executed Chang Song-thaek after convicting him of “acts of treachery”.

The move raised concerns of instability in the secretive nuclear-armed country.

Footage shown by North Korea’s KCTV and released by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency shows Jang Song Thaek being removed from a Politburo meeting.

North Korea’s new year messages are closely scrutinised by South Korea and other regional powers for clues to Pyongyang’s policy goals.

Kim Jong-un said action to “eliminate factionalist filth” within the ruling Workers’ Party had bolstered the country’s unity “by 100 times”.

-BBC-

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