North Korea Reels from Devastating Floods as Kim Jong-un Orders Executions
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has reportedly ordered the execution of 20 to 30 officials held responsible for failing to prevent catastrophic flooding that ravaged the nation earlier this summer. The floods, triggered by torrential rains and exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure, claimed the lives of an estimated 4,000 people and displaced tens of thousands more, according to South Korean media outlets, including TV Chosun.
Citing an unnamed government source, TV Chosun reported that Kim, 42, convened an emergency meeting aboard his private train in July following the devastating overflow of the Yalu River, which forms a natural border with China. During the meeting, he dismissed several high-ranking officials, including the governor of the severely impacted Chagang Province, the police chief, Public Security Minister, and Kang Bong-hun, the party secretary of Chagang Province.
The executions are believed to have been carried out late last month, with authorities currently gathering evidence against another party secretary in Chagang Province, who may face a similar fate.
This drastic action follows Kim’s tour of the flood-stricken regions in July, where he surveyed the damage and interacted with affected communities. During his visit, he acknowledged the extensive devastation, stating that it would take months to rebuild the submerged neighborhoods. Following his inspections, Korean Central Television reported that Kim vowed to “strictly punish those who caused unacceptable losses.”
The Yalu River floods, coupled with landslides along the China-North Korea border, submerged over 4,000 buildings and 7,300 acres of farmland, with the city of Sinuiju and the Uiju area in North Pyongan Province bearing the brunt of the disaster.
While the identities of all executed officials remain unconfirmed, a government official revealed to Nikkei Asia that Kang Bong-hun, a high-ranking party official and former deputy director of the munitions industry department, was among those executed. Notably, Kang was seen accompanying Kim during his on-site inspections.
This tragic event highlights the vulnerability of North Korea’s infrastructure and the severe consequences of natural disasters in the isolated nation. The executions, while shocking to many, underscore the immense pressure on North Korean officials to deliver results and the high stakes associated with perceived failures in the Kim Jong-un regime.
