North Korean leader applauds purge that killed uncle

In New Year's Day remarks, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commended last year's purge of "anti-Party counterrevolutionary factionalists" that included his former mentor and uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was executed in December 2013.

Text of Kim Jong Un's speech was broadcast by North Korean state media. In it, he stated:

"In the seething period of the effort for building a thriving country last year, we took the resolute measure of removing the factionalists lurking in the Party.

"As our Party detected and purged the anti-Party, counterrevolutionary factionalists at an opportune time and with a correct decision, the Party and revolutionary ranks were further consolidated and our single-hearted unity was solidified to the maximum."

The secretive leader's uncle Jang was executed for treason following his public dismissal from positions of authority and expulsion from the Communist Party.

[CNN] [UPI]