Kim Jong-un more ruthless and unforgiving than his late father

KIM Jong-un has turned on North Korea's economic elite, executing some of the country's most powerful people. Could he be more ruthless and unforgiving than his late father?

NORTH Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un has turned on the nation's economic elite - executing some of the country's most powerful people - and raising concerns he could be more ruthless and unforgiving than his late father.

While he was the target of international mockery in the early days of his succession, the execution of Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song Thaek, is the latest in a series of head-rolling moves that suggest there may be more to the story than what's released in the newspapers.

Hidden deep beneath Stalinist appearances, pompous propaganda and gaudy architecture, lies a leader who seems increasingly fearful of North Korea's elite "one per cent".

Once close allies of Jong-un, the communist country's inner circle now have more to fear than the poor and enslaved.

News_Rich_Media: The execution of the North Korean leader's once influential uncle is viewed by an expert as a move to cement Kim Jong Un's hold on power. Michaela Cabrera reports.

What we know about the country is it is stifled by communist rule, an unforgiving military and its population is controlled by fear and force.

INSTAGRAM SHOWS NORTH KOREA FROM THE INSIDE

But after a series of executions within the walls of Jong-un's kingdom, including the deaths of Song Thaek and ex-girlfriend Hyon Song-wol, it's becoming apparent North Korea's new leader can be as ruthless, if not more ruthless, than his late father and former leader Kim Jong-il.

Jong-un inherited the leadership after his death in 2011.

News_Image_File: Jang Song-Thaek is dragged out from his chair by officials during a meeting in Pyongyang. North Korea confirmed on December 9 that the powerful uncle of Kim Jong-un was purged. Picture: AFP/Yonhap

"The execution of Jang (Song Thaek) could be the most important turning point to the North Korean regime since its foundation 68 years ago," South Korean Defense minister Kim Kwan-jin said at a military conference.

A number of entrepreneurs have surfaced in the North, gaining their wealth through managing state companies while providing the country's big wigs with economic security.

NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T: UNCLE DELETED

Jong-un's uncle was one of these people, a driving force in the nation's entrepreneurial and authoritative hierarchy after managing one of the country's largest cash cows.

Through his work and reputation, he had powerful connections ranging from the military, to Cabinet, to its Head of State.

News_Image_File: Chinese reports state a video of three Korean women dancing in leotards led to the execution of Kim Jong-un's ex-girlfriend Hyon Song-wol.

"In North Korea, it's a parallel existence between the one per cent and 99 per cent. And Jang (Song Thaek)'s execution was about managing the power of the one per cent. He built the North Korean equivalent of a North Korean business empire," John Park, northeast Asia security specialist at the Harvard Kennedy School, told cnbc.com.

SOUTH KOREA ON ALERT FROM NUCLEAR NEIGHBOUR

It's this money and power that have Jong-un on his toes, and the decision to get rid of Song Thaek is said to be an indication of insecurity and irrationality.

News_Image_File: Kim Jong-un: Don't mess with this dude. Picture: AP Photo/Wong Maye-E

There is even speculation that Jong-un terminated his own wife, Ri Sol-ju, who has not been seen in public since October. Usually appearing by his side, her disappearance has lead publications to ask, "Where is Ri?"

NORTH KOREA RELEASES DETAINED WAR VETERAN

On Tuesday, North Korean media released images purportedly showing the pair attending commemoration events marked to celebrate the country's former leader, the late Jong-il, but experts claim the pictures were from a previous memorial service.

News_Image_File: This picture shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju for the 2nd anniversary of demise of his father Kim Jong-Il. Experts say the picture is doctored. Picture: AFP/KCNA

And there are fears for the safety of Jong-un's aunt and Song Thaek's wife, Kim Kyong-hui. She has not been seen at any of the commemoration events, a week after her husband was executed.

Kyong-hui was reportedly in good favour with her nephew, but her absence hasn't gone unnoticed in this time of unrest.

Jong-un now faces the task of rebuilding his allies and aides, all the while maintaining the state firms Song Thaek built and kept economically successful. Keeping it strong, without him, will be a challenge.

Purges aren't necessarily uncommon, but North Korea's inner circle has almost always been safe from harm.

But, two-years into his reign, Jong-un is showing no sign of backing down and the growing dissent raises fear of economic instability during a time when North Korea's nuclear program is as important as ever.

News_Rich_Media: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Kim Jong Un 'ruthless and reckless' when asked about the recent execution of the N. Korean leader's uncle. Jillian Kitchener reports.

And it's this that Jong-un will use to unite his country.

"We are ready to strike at any time", "Baekryong-do will become a huge grave" and "Run away if you want to live" read the latest messages from North Korea's military, who handed out pamphlets threatening South Korean island Baekryong-do.

Former leader Kim Jong-il, reffered as the "supreme leader" of North Korea during his reign, is known to have imprisoned 200,000 political prisoners according to U.S. and South Korean authorities.

Under Jong-il, North Korea was accused of crimes against humanity for the country's infamous 1990s famine, and according to a 2004 report by the Human Rights Watch, was "among the world's most repressive governments".

"Virtually every aspect of political, social, and economic life is controlled by the government," it read.