In a shocking move, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 officials, allegedly holding them responsible for their failure to prevent catastrophic flooding and landslides that struck the country in July. The severe weather, which caused widespread devastation, led to the displacement of 15,000 residents and is believed to have resulted in approximately 1,000 deaths.
According to reports from South Korean media, including Chosun TV, Kim Jong Un demanded “strict punishment” for those he deemed accountable for the “unacceptable loss” of life due to the recent natural disasters. The executed officials were also charged with corruption and dereliction of duty. The executions reportedly took place late last month, although the identities of the officials remain undisclosed.
Among the officials removed from their positions was Kang Bong-hoon, the secretary of the Chagang Province Provincial Party Committee since 2019, as reported by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It is unclear whether he was among those executed.
The flooding and landslides in July severely affected North Korea, with over 4,000 homes destroyed and entire neighborhoods submerged. Kim Jong Un personally visited the disaster-stricken areas, where he acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding, stating that it would take several months to restore the affected communities. In response to the crisis, the government provided shelter for 15,400 people, including vulnerable groups such as mothers, children, the elderly, and disabled soldiers, in facilities in Pyongyang.
Despite the widespread devastation, Kim Jong Un has denied reports of a high death toll, dismissing them as “false rumors” propagated by South Korea. He accused the neighboring country of launching a “smear campaign” aimed at damaging North Korea’s international reputation.
This incident highlights the increasing severity of North Korea’s internal measures. According to the Korea Times, public executions in North Korea have surged dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. The country, which previously averaged about 10 public executions per year, now reportedly carries out around 100 annually, representing a tenfold increase.
Former North Korean diplomat Lee Il-gyu, now with the International Korean Peninsula Forum, commented on the recent executions, stating, “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.”
These reports underscore the tense and dangerous climate within North Korea’s ruling elite, where even high-ranking officials are not immune from the regime’s severe and often brutal forms of punishment.
Sources By Agencies
