North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of at least 30 government officials in response to devastating floods that ravaged the country in July. These officials, including provincial governors, were allegedly sentenced to death last month for failing to prevent the flooding, which reportedly killed thousands.
According to South Korea’s Chosun TV, the executions were carried out as a result of a severe crackdown on officials deemed responsible for the disaster. The report cited a government official who claimed that “circumstances involving the dismissed Chagang Province Party Secretary Kang Bong-hoon have been captured and are being confirmed.”
The report also mentioned that several other officials were charged with corruption and neglect of duty. A former North Korean diplomat, quoted by the report, stated, “Even though there was recent flood damage, they were dismissed for social security reasons, and the executives themselves are so anxious that they don’t know when their necks will fall off.”
The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that Kim Jong Un had ordered authorities to “strictly punish” officials after the devastating floods in Chagang Province, which borders China. While the regime’s extreme secrecy makes it difficult to independently verify the details of the executions, the reports underscore the harsh consequences of failure within the North Korean system.
North Korea, a country known for its poor drainage, deforestation, and dilapidated infrastructure, is particularly vulnerable to flooding during the summer monsoon season. The July floods resulted in widespread damage, leaving thousands of homes and vast farmlands submerged, forcing many residents into makeshift shelters. Reports indicate that between 3,500 and 4,000 people lost their lives in the floods.
While the world grapples with the news of the executions, the relationship between North Korea and Russia seems to be strengthening. Russian media reported that a Russian company based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has been cleared to import beer produced in North Korea, a further sign of the warming ties between the two countries.
