North Korean Leader Reacts Harshly to Flood Crisis
In a severe response to recent catastrophic flooding, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly executed up to 30 officials for their failure to prevent devastating landslides and floods. The natural disaster, which struck at the end of July, left an estimated 4,000 people dead and displaced over 1,000 residents, according to South Korean media.
Yalu River floods wreak havoc
The floods were caused by the overflow of the Yalu River, which runs through North Korea’s provinces of North Pyongan, Chagang, and Ryanggang. Thousands of homes were submerged, prompting an emergency two-day meeting by the ruling Workers’ Party’s politburo.
A government official revealed to TV Chosun that between 20 and 30 officials were sentenced to capital punishment for their inability to safeguard the citizens. “It has been determined that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month,” the official stated.
Kim Jong Un’s outrage
North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, reported that Kim Jong Un harshly criticized senior officials for what he described as an “irresponsible” attitude towards flood protection. Kim was quoted as saying the incident was not a natural disaster but a “human disaster by irresponsibility.”
The flooding also affected areas of Northeast China, which borders the Yalu River. Intense rainfall from the typhoon resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people and the evacuation of thousands. A second wave of heavy rainstorms hit Northeast China at the end of August, killing 11 people and leaving 14 others missing. The extreme weather caused more than $1 billion in damages, as reported by Chinese state media.
This harsh reaction by Kim Jong Un underscores the severity with which the North Korean regime deals with perceived failures, especially in the wake of natural disasters. The executions mark a grim chapter in North Korea’s history, revealing the extreme measures the leadership is willing to take in response to crises.
