North Korean leader Kim Jong-un didn’t just kill his Uncle Jang Song-Thaek last year.  Through an extensive series of recalls from embassies around the world, Kim has ordered the systematic destruction of Uncle Jang’s entire bloodline.

“Extensive executions have been carried out for relatives of Jang Song-thaek,” an anonymous source told the South Korean news agency Yonhap.  “All relatives of Jang have been put to death, including even children.”

The agency says those killed include Jang's sister Jang Kye-sun; her husband and ambassador to Cuba, Jon Yong-jin; and the ambassador to Malaysia, Jang Yong-chol, who is a nephew of Mr Jang.  The nephew's two sons were also killed, as were the rest of the children, and grandchildren of Jang's two brothers.

Almost out of nowhere, North Korea last year referred Jang as “worse than a dog” and “human scum” in announcing his execution for what was called treachery and betrayal. Pictures showed Jang being led from his office by state security.