North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 government officials in response to the devastating floods and landslides that occurred in the country last summer. South Korean media reports claim these officials were punished for their failure to prevent the disaster, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,000 people.
Heavy rains and subsequent landslides struck Chagang Province in North Korea, causing widespread devastation and leaving many homeless. According to TV Chosun, a South Korean news outlet, a source within Kim’s regime revealed that 20 to 30 high-ranking officials were charged with corruption and negligence of duty, leading to their execution. The source stated that these officials were executed last month.
While the details surrounding these executions are difficult to verify due to North Korea’s notoriously secretive nature, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that Kim had instructed authorities to “strictly punish” officials following the July floods. During an emergency Politburo meeting held in Sinuiju, Kim accused officials of neglecting their responsibilities for disaster prevention and causing “unacceptable casualties.”
Although the identities of the executed officials remain undisclosed, KCNA reported that Kang Bong-hoon, the secretary of the Chagang Province Provincial Party Committee since 2019, was among those dismissed by Kim in response to the flooding.
The July floods had a significant impact on North Korea, affecting over 4,000 homes and isolating 5,000 residents. Kim personally visited the affected areas and announced that it would take two to three months to rebuild. He also designated parts of three provinces as “special disaster emergency zones.”
These reports highlight the severe consequences of failing to meet Kim Jong Un’s expectations, particularly regarding disaster management. The executions serve as a stark reminder of the brutal and unforgiving nature of the North Korean regime.
