South Korea's President Park Geun Hye has said in relation to the dismissal of Jang Sung Taek, “North Korea is currently engaging in politics of fear while carrying out extensive purging in order to consolidate the rule of Kim Jong Eun.  Relations between North and South may become more unstable in future.”

Commenting at a Blue House cabinet meeting on the 10th over which she presided, Park added, “The situation in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula is rapidly changing.  We are in a situation where we cannot lower our guard against North Korean threats and changes in its circumstances." 

“I believe that firmly protecting the security of our people and our liberal democracy is the obligation of the state,” she continued.

Park also made mention of North Korean defectors residing in the South, “North Koreans who have risked their lives to find freedom and are now embraced by the Republic of Korea are undergoing hardships in our society.” 

The President concluded by expressing her wish that the relevant authorities develop assistance programs to help these former North Koreans fully integrate.