Wednesday’s reports of the dismissal of Jang Song Taek – an influential advisor to the Kim family and uncle of Kim Jong Un – are continuing to fuel speculation that North Korea’s third dynastic ruler is conducting a major purge of the North Korean leadership.

As well as Jang, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) alleged that two of his confidants were publicly executed late last month. If the rumors are true, Jang and his associates’ removal represents a significant shift at the very top of North Korea’s power structure – where Jang was previously seen as “the power behind the throne”