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 North Korea's official TV broadcast the documentary, which had
already been aired nine times. But this time, Kim's uncle, Jang Song
Thaek, appeared in different positions to make his face invisible or
entire scenes were re-edited to remove him, South Korea's Yonhap
news agency reported.
South Korea's spy agency says it believes Jang was relieved of his
posts last month. If true, the changes could mean Pyongyang is
undergoing the biggest upheaval in the leadership circle since the
death in 2011 of former leader Kim Jong Il, the current leader's
father.
Kim Jong Un, the third in his family to rule the secretive state,
was the focus of the hour-long documentary aired again on Saturday,
with Jang removed or hidden in 13 scenes, Yonhap said.
Jang is married to Kim's aunt, the daughter of the North's founding
leader Kim Il Sung, and was widely considered to be working to
ensure his nephew firmly established his grip on power in the past
two years.
It is still unclear which of his high-level titles, including vice
chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission and membership
in the ruling Workers' Party politburo, may have been taken away.
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But South Korean official say he is likely alive in no immediate
physical danger, as is his wife, Kim Kyong Hui.
Jang has been a prominent fixture in many of the reports and
photographs of Kim Jong Un's public activities, but his appearances
have tapered off sharply this year and he has not been since in
official media since early November.
(Reporting by Jack Kim; editing by Ron Popeski)
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