N. Korea confirms purge of leader's powerful uncle

Jong Song-thaek, former vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission who had long been viewed as the young leader's guardian, is also accused of irregularities and corruption, as well as disobeying Kim's orders, according to the report.

The latest purge is widely seen as part of a campaign to consolidate the power of Kim, who took over the communist country after his father, Kim Jong-il, died in December 2011.

"Jang desperately worked to form a faction within the party," the political bureau of the ruling Workers Party said in a decision carried by the country's official Korean Central News Agency. "Prompted by his politically motivated ambition, he tried to increase his force and build his base."

The party's political bureau also alleged that Jang, who had held several senior positions in the government, abused his power and had improper relations with several women, abused drugs and squandered foreign currency at casinos while receiving medical treatment abroad.

It did not give any details on Jang's whereabouts.

The North's confirmation of the latest purge came days after South Korea's spy agency reported to lawmakers that Jang has likely been removed from power and also that two of his confidants were publicly executed.

The latest purge could lead to a shake-up of the North's leadership as the party's political bureau accused Jang and his followers of gnawing at the unity the party, condemning them as "anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts."

It is not rare, however, for the communist country to purge senior officials.

Last year, Ri Yong-ho, the chief of the military's general staff, was removed from all his posts because of an unspecified "illness."

In 2010, the North reportedly executed Pak Nam-ki, former chief of the planning and finance department of the ruling party, over his botched currency reform the previous year.

The purge of Jang came ahead of the second death anniversary of Kim's father and former North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il.