A reason to worry

The news shocked the world. Kim Jong-Un, North Korea's president and living god ordered the execution of his own uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, accusing the latter as "a traitor, a despicable human scum worse than a dog". Jang Song-Thaek has long been seen as the adviser to the young president. But like some pupils, the student decides he no longer needs the teacher, who he feels wields more power than him. Kim Jong-Un accused his uncle of sowing intrigues against him, in an effort to consolidate and strengthen his power in the government. Song-Thaek was publicly dragged out of his chair in a meeting in Pyongyang, humiliating and showing the rest of government just who is in charge.

This is exactly what analysts are saying. The execution of what many considered to be the number two man in North Korea was Jong-Un's way of saying who the real boss is in the authoritarian state. Song-Thaek has been in government since the 1970s, cementing his position and also falling out of favor several times. Some say his ambition got the better of him, and the young Jong-Un would not have any of it. Some also say that Jong-Un simply had no more use for his mentor. Coupled with the rumors that he was consolidating his power, he became a threat to the young leader that ultimately led to his demise. Besides, in North Korea, you do not go against a living god. Especially one who is friends with Dennis Rodman.

World leaders are closely watching North Korea in the light of the execution. Some also believe that the young leader may still be irresponsible and unstable. If he can have a relative killed, what more his known and perceived enemies, some are saying. South Korea is closely monitoring its northern neighbor, just in case the now more powerful Jong-Un suddenly makes some brash moves. And if South Korea is on its toes, then her allies are too.

Like the world needs another flashpoint. Tensions are obviously high in the Korean peninsula. The same can be said in the Southeast Asian region, with China's ever aggressive moves to stake its claim over the while ocean, even airspace. Moves that have ruffled the feathers of its neighbors, who will not sit idly by while the giant flexes its muscles. There are even reports of an American and Chinese warship almost colliding in the West Philippine Sea. It seems a tiny spark is all that is needed to light up the region in a blaze of trouble.

Definitely a reason to worry.