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The execution of the uncle of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un was broadly unexpected by anybody, particularly Korean specialists. At the same time though it reflects a political struggle within the political elite and around Kim Jong-un himself, said Aleksandr Vorontsov, head of the Department for Korean Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences in an exclusive interview with the Voice of Russia.

The real reasons behind the purpose of Chang Song-thaek's executions are not known, but there are a lot of versions and scenarios, ranging from political struggle to the creation of the North Korean opposition forces.

"I would like to stress first that all these scenarios are based on speculation and somehow only guesses, because the real reliable facts of what really happened inside the Kim family and what happened inside his closest political circle – we don't know exactly. It's very closed information. But what was announced officially – that accusations which were brought against Chang Song-thaek – he was blamed in many very strong crimes. It is possible to suppose that maybe he regarded Kim Jong-un as a young guy who needs to be guided and maybe Kim Jong-un finally tired of this guidence and wanted to demonstrate that he doesn't need any kind of tutors even if they are very close relatives, that he is possible and he would like and he would like to govern the country by himself as a real leader indeed," Aleksandr Vorontsov said.

Although Kim Jong-un is a young politician with a European education (he went to a very prestigious school in Switzerland), the move to execute his close relative reminds of the example of his grandfather.

"His grandfather, when he tried to establish his own personal power, used this method frequently. He was setting up one grouping of the political elite to destroy another. After this he set up political group to destroy yet another one. And in the end he really became the one great leader. These are maneuvers in the politics," Vorontsov said.

Another reason for the execution, shared by South Korean and Japanese experts, is that Chang Song-thaek, as a supporter of economic reform, was promoting the Chinese experience of economic growth. Chang Song-thaek, was also close to the Chinese and Japanese political elites.

"What we have now is one version that is very disturbing to the South Korean political and expert community and Japanese one. According to their version, Chang Song-thaek was a supporter of economic reform. He was not a hawk, he was from civilians, he was close to China. He tried to promote the Chinese experience of economic reform. He tried to restrain Kim Jong-il and the more decisive military guy there – that's according to their version," Vorontsov said.

He concludes that "now when Chang Song-thaek died he became a good guy in eyes of the South Korean, Japanese political elite".

The expert wonders who, in reality, Kim Jong-un’s uncle was. "We know exactly: he is not a military guy. Yes, in spite of the fact he occupied some higher political positions, he is not a professional military officer, he is not professional military guy. He is from a civilian part of the political leadership. And we can suppose that as a result of this, a military role in the political elite may elevate their positions. It's true, it's quite logical to suppose. In this case we can expect returning to a more active return to a military force policy".

Chang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been executed after being charged with "acts of treachery." That’s according to North Korea’s state news agency. The execution came just days ahead of the second anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, the father of North Korea’s current ruler.

By executing uncle, Kim Jong Un wanted to demonstrate firmness of a leader - Russian expert

Russian experts are skeptical about the statements that the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has recently been executed in North Korea, was a politician who wanted reforms. The Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday that Jang Song Thaek, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, had been executed in North Korea.

"We need to look closely, we don't want to guess here. According to statements made in South Korea and Japan, Jang Song Thaek was from the civilian camp, moderate and pro-reform, generally, a good guy. However, before he was executed he was a bad guy, just like all other North Koreans," Alexander Vorontsov, the head of the Department of Korea and Mongolia of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said.

The expert said that "it's a serious loss for the civilian team and therefore it has strengthened the positions of the military."

"It's their story, but we understand that it's all at the level of assumptions. There is currently no reliable information as to what is going on, what the reasons and driving forces are, and what made them do everything so fast, leaks don't happen there," he said.

Vorontsov said no changes will happen in the internal political situation in North Korea after this execution.

"It won't influence the political situation in any way, we can't expect manifestations of instability," he said.

The expert said he is convinced that Kim Jong Un wanted to demonstrate "the firmness of the leader and the fact that he runs the state alone and will not stop at anything, even if he has to punish his closest relatives if they are guilty [of crimes against] the state."

"There could have also been personal factors, hurt, he could have been stripped of patronage, protection. Of course, it's not the main thing, but it could have added some color to this sad story," the expert said.

Vorontsov said the punishment of Jang Song Thaek's supporters may continue.

"If they say he has made a group, it's clear that he was not alone. Of course, people who were close to him and were members of his group could suffer," the expert said.