N Korea's Kim has uncle executed for treason North Korea on Friday announced the execution of Jang Song Thaek, the uncle widely seen as Kim Jong Un's most powerful adviser, accusing him of plotting a coup against the young leader. "I didn't fix the definite time for the coup," Jang was reported as saying at his trial on Thursday, after which he was immediately put to death. "But it was my intention to . . . become premier when the economy goes totally bankrupt and the state is on the verge of collapse," he was quoted as saying, adding that he planned to present a "reformist" image to win recognition from the international community. Jang's rise in the North Korean political system began with his marriage to Mr Kim's aunt Kyung Hui in the early 1970s, and he was elevated to the highest levels of power after Mr Kim succeeded his father Kim Jong Il in December 2011. His position as vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission was one of the most exalted in the country, and Jang's leadership of the ruling party's administration department gave him hands-on authority over state affairs. Frequently seen by Mr Kim's side at official events, he met then Chinese President Hu Jintao at the helm of a delegation to Beijing in 2012. But he has become the latest victim of what South Korean intelligence suggests is the biggest purge of North Korean top ranks since the 1950s, with about 100 of the top 218 officials losing their positions in the past two years. The first report of his dismissal came last week from South Korea's national intelligence service. On Monday, North Korean state media said he had been removed from his posts at a party meeting on Sunday, and broadcast dramatic footage of him being arrested and pulled from his seat. Analysts have voiced scepticism about the reasons for and timing of Jang's demise, suggesting that Mr Kim may have simply sought to remove a potential threat to his influence, and that the ousting may have happened earlier than claimed by North Korea. But state media on Friday went into detail about the alleged crimes of "despicable human scum Jang, who was worse than a dog." It accused him of overreaching his authority, interfering with the running of various ministries and national institutions and converting his department into a ""little kingdom" which no one dares touch." Jang, who sometimes appeared relaxed in the company of Mr Kim, had tried to project himself as "on a par" with the country's leader, it added. "The lineage of Paektu will remain unchanged and irreplaceable," the report said, referring to a mountain that is a national emblem for North Korea and has become part of the Kim family legend. Our party, state, army and people do not know anyone except Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. Although the execution of Jang will add to the sense of uncertainty that surrounds Mr Kim's regime, some observers believe that international tensions around North Korea have decreased sharply since the March-April period when there were widespread expectations of a new nuclear test.