North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has boasted of a surge of internal strength after the elimination of "factional filth" after the execution of his 'traitor' uncle last month.
In his New Year message, Kim said that his party took resolute action to remove "anti-party, anti-revolutionary and scum" elements within the party last year, Sky News reports.
Jang Song-Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful individual in the North, was accused of trying to overthrow the government by building his own power base within the ruling party.
Jang's death was announced by state news agency KCNA on December 13.