NORTH KOREA DISMISSES "POWER BROKER"

A powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been removed from his post, South Korean media reports say.Citing South Korea's intelligence agency, they say Chang Song-thaek, 67, lost his position as vice-chairman of the North's top military body.Two close aides were also executed for corruption, according to the reports.If confirmed, Mr Chang's removal would be the biggest upheaval in North Korea's leadership since Mr Kim succeeded his father, analysts say.Kim Jong-un took over after Kim Jong-il died in 2011.The latest reports emerged from an intelligence briefing given to South Korean lawmakers.The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment based on information provided by multiple sources, the South's Yonhap news agency said.It also quoted the intelligence service as saying two of Mr Chang's closest associates had been executed in public in late November.