North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 officials who allegedly failed to manage the severe flooding and landslides that occurred this summer, which resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths, according to South Korean media.
An official within Kim’s regime disclosed that these officials were accused of corruption and neglect of duty, leading to their execution, as reported by TV Chosun. The official mentioned that the executions of these officials took place late last month.
The North Korean Central News Agency previously indicated that Kim had directed authorities to “severely punish” those responsible after the devastating flooding in Chagang province in July, which resulted in significant casualties and displacements.
While the specific identities of the executed officials were not disclosed, it was noted that Kang Bong-hoon, the provincial party committee secretary for Chagang since 2019, was among those dismissed during an emergency meeting.
Former North Korean diplomat Lee Il-gyu commented that officials in the affected region were extremely anxious about their fates following Kim’s orders.
Kim had visited the disaster areas last month and estimated that rebuilding would take months. He also rejected South Korean reports about the death toll, disputing the claims.
This is not the first instance of Kim ordering executions over perceived failures. In 2019, Kim Hyok Chol, North Korea’s nuclear envoy to the US, was allegedly executed for failing to arrange a summit between Kim and then-President Donald Trump, though it was later revealed that Chol was only in state custody.
North Korea is known for its high rate of public executions, with the Korea Times estimating around 100 executions in the past year alone, up from an average of 10 per year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
