North Korea has reportedly executed up to 30 officials in the wake of severe flooding and landslides that devastated the country last month, resulting in significant casualties and widespread damage. The mass executions, first reported by South Korean news outlet TV Chosun, underscore the regime's harsh response to the natural disaster that has further exposed the country's precarious internal dynamics.
The recent floods, which struck the northwestern provinces of Chagang, North Pyongan, Ryanggang, and Jagang, have been described as among the worst in recent memory. The Yalu River flooding, triggered by heavy rains, submerged over 4,000 buildings and inundated approximately 3,000 hectares of farmland in Sinuiju and Uiju, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The crisis displaced over 15,000 people and caused the deaths of more than 1,000 residents, as reported by Daily NK.
In response to the disaster, Kim Jong-un has taken drastic measures. The North Korean leader reportedly ordered the execution of several high-ranking officials deemed responsible for the disaster's impact. "It has been determined that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month," a source cited by Chosun TV said. The purge includes the dismissal of key figures such as Chagang Province Party Secretary Kang Bong-hoon, who was also the Minister of Public Safety.
The executions highlight the regime's propensity for severe punitive measures in the face of crises. Kim Jong-un's approach, focusing on punitive action rather than disaster relief or international cooperation, reflects a broader pattern of the North Korean leadership's response to internal challenges. "Those who caused unacceptable casualties will be strictly punished," a North Korean official stated, echoing the regime's determination to hold officials accountable for their perceived failures.
Kim Jong-un's decision to reject international aid and rely solely on internal resources has further exacerbated the situation. Despite offers of relief supplies from traditional allies like Russia and China, as well as international organizations, North Korea has publicly declined such assistance. The regime's emphasis on self-reliance and internal capabilities is part of a broader ideological stance that prioritizes sovereignty over foreign aid. "What we regard as the best in all realms and processes of state affairs is the firm trust in the people and the way of tackling problems thoroughly based on self-reliance," Kim Jong-un stated, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The harsh measures against officials are not unprecedented in North Korea. Historically, the regime has used public executions and purges as tools to maintain control and suppress dissent. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea reportedly conducted around ten public executions annually. This number has since surged, with recent estimates suggesting that public executions have increased to approximately 100 per year, according to the Korea Times.
In the wake of the disaster, the North Korean government has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation. Reports of relentless loudspeaker broadcasts praising Kim Jong-un amidst the flood crisis, described by some as "sickening sounds," have further fueled discontent among the populace. These broadcasts, intended to bolster the regime's image, have been criticized for adding to the already severe burden on flood-affected residents.
The response to the floods, including the execution of officials and the rejection of international aid, reflects North Korea's broader approach to governance and crisis management. As the regime continues to navigate the aftermath of the disaster, the emphasis on internal control and punishment over relief and recovery underscores the ongoing challenges facing the isolated country.
