Floods Hit North Korea Hard: Kim’s Leadership Under Scrutiny

Due to failures in preparing for flood damage, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un replaced the Minister of Social Security and the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in North Pyongan and Jagang Provinces.

The Korean Central News Agency reported this morning that Kim made these decisions during the 22nd enlarged Political Bureau meeting of the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which was held in Sinuiju from Monday to Tuesday.

According to the report, Ri Hi Yong was appointed Secretary of the North Pyongan Provincial Party, while Pak Song Chol took over as the Secretary of the Jagang Provincial Party. Pang Tu Sop became the new Minister of Social Security.

It is presumed that Kang Bong Hun, the former Secretary of the Jagang Provincial Party, and Ri Thae Sop, the former minister of social security, were dismissed.

The rapid personnel changes came just a day after Kim led rescue operations for residents in flood-damaged areas near the Amnok River and criticized officials for failing to prevent the damage.

During that visit, Kim stated, “What we can no longer tolerate is their non-combatant attitude and the irresponsibility of social security agencies that must guarantee and thoroughly ensure the safety of the people’s lives.” He also condemned the prevailing mentality of laziness and opportunism among key officials.

The report indicated that when in Sinuiju City and Uiju County, located downstream of the Amnok River, over 4,100 households and 3,000 acres of farmland, along with public buildings, facilities, roads, and railways, were flooded due to the heavy rain, it did not disclose the scale of human casualties.

This emergency enlarged Political Bureau meeting was convened to discuss recovery measures and prevent further damage, given the potential for the recent flooding to worsen.

Participants included members of the Politburo Standing Committee, Politburo members, and candidate members, as well as key officials responsible for recovery efforts in sectors such as electricity, railroads, communications, and agriculture.