North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken decisive action in response to the devastating floods that have recently struck the country, particularly in North Pyongan and Jagang Provinces.
Amid growing scrutiny of his leadership, Kim replaced key officials during the 22nd enlarged Political Bureau meeting of the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, held in Sinuiju earlier this week.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Ri Hi Yong has been appointed as the new Secretary of the North Pyongan Provincial Party, while Pak Song Chol has assumed the role of Secretary of the Jagang Provincial Party.
Pang Tu Sop has been named the new Minister of Social Security. These appointments follow the presumed dismissals of Kang Bong Hun, the former Secretary of the Jagang Provincial Party, and Ri Thae Sop, the former Minister of Social Security.
The leadership shakeup comes just one day after Kim personally led rescue operations in flood-affected areas near the Amnok River, where he expressed severe criticism of local officials for their failure to prevent the damage.
The floods, which have inundated over 4,100 households and 3,000 acres of farmland, have severely impacted infrastructure, including public buildings, roads, and railways. While the KCNA report did not disclose the extent of human casualties, the situation has been described as critical.
During his visit to the disaster zones in Sinuiju City and Uiju County, Kim condemned the “non-combatant attitude” and “irresponsibility” of the social security agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of the people. He also criticized the widespread “laziness and opportunism” among key officials, signaling a firm stance on accountability.
The emergency Political Bureau meeting was convened to discuss immediate recovery measures and to strategize on preventing further damage, as more flooding is anticipated in the near future. Key officials responsible for sectors crucial to recovery efforts, such as electricity, railroads, communications, and agriculture, participated in the discussions.
