In a dramatic turn of events, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 officials due to their failure to manage a catastrophic flooding crisis. This decision follows severe floods and landslides that occurred during the summer, which claimed approximately 4,000 lives in North Korea.
The news comes from TV Chosun, which reported that these officials were accused of corruption and neglect of duty. According to the outlet, these officials were executed late last month as a direct response to their perceived failures in handling the disaster. The floods hit Chagang Province in July, causing widespread devastation and displacing over 15,000 people.
Kim Jong Un had personally surveyed the flood-damaged areas and met with affected residents. During these visits, he estimated that the rebuilding process would take several months. Despite his efforts to address the situation, Kim has also publicly disputed reports from South Korea regarding the flood’s death toll, claiming that the figures were exaggerated.
Among those dismissed by Kim was Kang Bong-hoon, the Provincial Party Committee Secretary of Chagang Province since 2019. This dismissal occurred during an emergency meeting held amid the flooding crisis. The officials who were executed have not been specifically named, but the crackdown reflects the high stakes of leadership under Kim Jong Un’s regime.
Former North Korean diplomat Lee Il-gyu shared with TV Chosun that the officials in Chagang Province were reportedly in a state of extreme anxiety, fearing for their lives. This fear underscores the harsh reality faced by officials in North Korea when they are deemed responsible for significant failures.
This incident is not unique to Kim Jong Un’s rule. Back in 2019, reports indicated that Kim ordered the execution of Kim Hyok Chol, North Korea’s nuclear envoy to the US, due to his failure to successfully negotiate a summit between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump. Such severe measures highlight the intense pressure and consequences faced by officials in the North Korean regime for any perceived shortcomings or failures.
