North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with flood victims from the provinces of North Phyongan, Jagang, and Ryanggang in the capital city of Pyongyang on August 15th. The visit to the lodging quarters allowed Kim to personally meet and interact with individuals affected by the recent floods.
The Workers’ Party of Korea has taken significant steps to provide state-backed care and benefits to the flood victims, according to the state news agency KCNA. Over 13,000 individuals, including children, elderly, and disabled soldiers, were transported by train to Pyongyang. Kim also visited a dining room for children, encouraging them to grow up healthily.
This event highlights the North Korean government’s commitment to providing support to its citizens in the wake of natural disasters. It also follows Kim’s recent criticism of local officials for their inadequate response to Typhoon Khanun, which devastated 200 hectares of farmland. Kim had criticized their “irresponsible” and “insensitive” response, highlighting the negligence of agricultural guidance organs and Party organizations.
The government’s focus on addressing natural disasters is further demonstrated by the military’s swift rescue efforts in July near the Chinese border. Heavy rainfall isolated around 5,000 residents, and the military responded with 10 aircraft and 20 rescue missions, successfully rescuing 4,200 people within half a day.
The focus on addressing natural disasters comes alongside a broader shift in North Korea’s policies. The country is set to reopen its borders to foreign tourists in December 2024, starting with the northeastern city of Samjiyon. This marks a significant shift from the country’s stringent COVID-19 border controls.
