Kim Jong-un Praised Again at Flood Recovery Site... Kim Yo-jong Appears After 2 Months (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un conducted an on-site inspection of flood recovery efforts in Kimhwa County, Gangwon Province, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 2nd.

He was accompanied by his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Department Director of the Party. Her appearance in North Korean state media comes about two months after the National Veterans Conference held on July 27.

Chairman Kim toured Kimhwa County, which was hit hard by the heavy rains in August and then directly struck by Typhoon Maysak, the 9th typhoon last month, assessing the scale of damage across various sectors including housing, farmland, transportation, national land environment, urban management, electricity, and telecommunications.

Kim said, "Coming here, I vividly recall the time in mid-August when over 900mm of disaster-level heavy rain cut off even the roads, requiring the use of helicopters to survey the damage, and hearing the heartbreaking report of damage to about a thousand households’ homes felt like it was just yesterday."

Upon hearing reports that residents were pleased with the new housing construction, he said, "I am truly glad," but also pointed out, "One regret is that the housing designs were standardized according to a fixed criterion."

Regarding the military forces mobilized for the recovery work, he praised them, saying, "The noble spirit and moral character of the People's Army, which creates something from nothing and turns disaster into blessing, is the fundamental secret behind all the miracles created on this land."

During this on-site inspection, Chairman Kim also checked the agricultural conditions in the Gangwon Province area.

He stated, "Although it was impossible to foresee at the time of the flood damage, a good harvest has unfolded," and added, "This year is truly an unprecedentedly difficult year, but the rewards of our struggle will make it a particularly great year of victory."

He continued, "Today's hardships have not discouraged us but have made us tougher like rock and pushed us forward," emphasizing, "I once again deeply feel that there is no obstacle in this world that we cannot overcome."

Accompanying him on this inspection were First Deputy Department Director Kim Yo-jong, Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong-chon, Party Vice Chairman Ri Il-hwan, Party Department Director Kim Yong-su, First Deputy Department Director of the Organization and Guidance Department Jo Yong-won, Party Vice Chairman Pak Tae-song, and Deputy Department Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Hyon Song-wol.

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