Pyongyang: Reportedly, on the orders of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, the execution of 30 officials is to be carried out for their alleged failure to prevent flooding and landslides that claimed 1,000 lives. The officials were reportedly charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, and their failure to prevent the natural disasters was seen as a result of their negligence and incompetence, local media reported.
Around 20 to 30 leaders charged with corruption and dereliction of duty have been sentenced to capital punishment, TV Chosun reported, quoting a North Korean official.
Similarly, an official told the television network that around 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month.
Although the actual names of the executed officials have not been revealed, KCNA said that Kang Bong-hoon, secretary of the Chagang Province Provincial Party Committee since 2019, was among the leaders ousted from their positions by Kim Jong Un.
Earlier, Kim had ordered authorities to “strictly punish” the officials after the floods and landslides caused high mortality and displaced over 15,000, as per the North Korean Central News Agency.
The heavy rain that battered the North border city of Sinuiju and Uiju County in North Phyongan Province was severe, flooding 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and many public buildings, structures, roads, and railways, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Sensex Closes in Red: Down by 202 Points, Nifty Drops Below 25,200
South Korean media outlets have reported that the number of those who died or went missing in the floods could exceed about 1,000, a staggering figure that underscores the severity of the situation.
Recently, Kim visited Uiju County to meet flood victims and offered support, the KCNA said.
During the visit, he denounced South Korean media’s reports on North Korea’s severe flood damage as “fabrications” and “politically motivated false propaganda”.
Though North Korea was offered assistance from China, Russia and South Korea, Kim refused.
Kim expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for offering assistance with rain damage recovery and said he would seek help when necessary.
He said North Korea plans to pursue rehabilitation work according to the already-established plan as state measures have been taken.
North Korea’s public executions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, there were 10 public executions per year, which mounted to 100 annual public executions, according to the Korea Times.
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
–IANS & Media Reports
