Kim Jong-un: "Do Not Allow Any External Aid Related to Flood Damage"

Held Party Politburo Meeting to Discuss Flood Damage Countermeasures

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un held the 16th Political Bureau meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party at the Party Central Committee headquarters on the 13th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 14th.

As the international community extends a helping hand to North Korea, which has suffered massive flood damage, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un has stated, "Do not accept any external assistance."

On the 14th, North Korea's state-run media, Korean Central News Agency, reported that Chairman Kim held the 16th Political Bureau meeting of the 7th Central Committee at the Central Party Headquarters on the 13th, where he "discussed and decided on issues related to quickly overcoming the flood damage and ensuring a stable life for the people."

North Korea disclosed the scale of the damage caused by the recent floods, stating that 39,296 jeongbo (approximately 390 km²) of farmland were damaged, about 16,680 households' residences were destroyed or flooded, and over 630 public buildings were damaged or submerged.

Despite this situation, the stance of not allowing external assistance was clearly expressed.

Chairman Kim said, "Given the worsening global situation of the malignant virus spread, no external support related to the flood damage should be permitted. The borders must be sealed even more tightly, and quarantine measures must be strictly enforced."

Additionally, the lockdown order for Kaesong, where a special COVID-19 alert had been issued following the defection of a North Korean defector from Kaesong back to the North, was lifted after three weeks.

The agency reported, "Due to an emergency incident in the frontline area, the lockdown of Kaesong City and the entire frontline area, which had been in effect since July 24, has been decided to be lifted based on scientific verification and guarantees by specialized quarantine agencies."

Chairman Kim emphasized urgent party and state-level support for residents affected by the flood damage. He said, "The situation and suffering of the flood victims who have lost their homes and property and are living in temporary shelters must be beyond words. At times like these, it is our Party, not anyone else, that must take full responsibility for them, share the hardships the people are experiencing, and come closer to them to alleviate their suffering."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.