Chang Sung-taek
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Chang Sung-taek, (born 2 February 1946, Kangwon-do; also spelled Jang Song-thaek) is a North Korean politician and the brother-in-law of Kim Jong-il.[1][2]
[edit] Biography
A graduate of the Kim Il-sung Senior High School, Chang studied abroad in Moscow between 1969 and 1972; upon his return, he married Kim Kyong-hui, the younger sister of Kim Jong-il.[1] He was formerly the vice-director of the Workers' Party of Korea's organisation and guidance department and had been identified by outside analysts as well as North Korean defector Hwang Jang-yop as a possible successor to Kim Jong-il; however, on 25 November 2004, South Korea's National Assembly heard testimony that he had been purged from his position.[3] He later re-emerged in March 2006, accompanying Kim Jong-il on an official visit to China.[1] In October 2007, the Korean Central News Agency confirmed that Chang had been promoted to the newly-recreated post of first vice-director of the Workers' Party of Korea, with oversight responsibility for the police, judiciary, and other areas of internal security; Jang attended South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's luncheon during the latter's visit to the North.[2]
Chang had one daughter, Jang Keum-song, who lived overseas in Paris as an international student; she refused an order to return to Pyongyang and then committed suicide in September 2006, reportedly due to Chang and his wife Kim's opposition to her relationship with her boyfriend.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c 장성택(張成澤). Information Center on North Korea, Ministry of Unification, Republic of Korea. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
- ^ a b "North Korean media confirms promotion of Jang Song-thaek to senior post", Yonhap News, 2007-12-13. Retrieved on 2008-01-03.
- ^ Demick, Barbara. "Kim Jong Il purges relative from power, paving way for sons", The Seattle Times, 2004-12-04. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
- ^ Yi, Yeong-jong. "파리의 김정일 조카 장금송 비운의 러브스토리 (Unlucky love story of Kim Jong-il's niece in Paris)", JoongAng Ilbo, 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2007-05-30. (Korean)
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