10. DPRK leader's uncle Jang Song Thaek executed

The once-powerful senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Jang Song Thaek, was executed on December 12 after the Special Military Tribunal found him guilty of treason.

Jang, uncle-in-law of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, was removed from all posts on December 8 for allegedly committing "anti-party and counter-revolutionary" crimes.

The 67-year-old senior general admitted at the trial that he had premeditated a coup against Kim.

Jang was the vice chairman of the National Defense Commission and secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea administration department.

Related:

DPRK's Jang Song-Thaek executed