North Korean leader Kim Jong-un broke completely down in tears after authorizing the execution of his uncle Jang Song-thaek and was in mentally unstable condition, a Japanese news source reported Sunday.
Yomiuri Shinbun quoted a reliable source in saying that Choe Hae-ryong, the head of political affairs, and Kim Won-hong, chief of national security, signed off the execution along with Kim.
Jang Song-thaek, long considered the number two man in the hermit kingdom, was executed for treason last week although later reports indicated that he met his demise mainly due to financial dealings that displeased the young North Korean leader.
The informed sources told Yomiuri that Kim had been crying for days up until Dec. 17 when elaborate ceremonies were held to observe the second anniversary of the death of his father Kim Jong-il.
There had been international criticism on the barbarity of Kim's execution of his own uncle with some humanitarian groups demanding that he face prosecution by the International Criminal Court for violating human rights.
One of the sources was quoted as saying, "The rumor is that Kim did not expect the execution to take place so expeditiously. He be believed to have been mentally shaken by the fact that he [ersonally ordered the death of his uncle."
