"Gundalbaengi Cabinet"... Why Kim Jong-un Was Furious Visiting Flooded Areas in North Korea

Prime Minister Severely Criticizes Flooded Areas... 'Personnel Measures' Announced
"Extremely Chaotic" "Political Immature" Harsh Remarks
Intended to Avoid Responsibility for Economic Crisis... North Korea's 5-Year Plan Faces Difficulties

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, visited the Pyongannam-do region, where large-scale crop flooding damage occurred, and harshly criticized Premier Kim Deok-hoon. In North Korea, which places great importance on the 'infallibility of the leader,' this is interpreted as an attempt to evade responsibility by blaming officials not only for the economic difficulties but also for the flood damage. In particular, the flooding of reclaimed land, which has been the focus for increasing rice production, is analyzed as a sign that the 'Five-Year National Economic Development Plan,' now in its third year, is not progressing smoothly.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd, Chairman Kim inspected the flood damage restoration site at the reclaimed land construction complex in Pyongannam-do the day before. In the photos released that day, he is seen rolling up his sleeves and wading directly into the flooded rice paddies up to his thighs. He emphasized that he personally inspected the site, saying, "The responsible officials from central agencies do not even show their faces at the site."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un is providing on-site guidance at the damage restoration site of Anseok Reclaimed Land in the Reclaimed Land Construction General Enterprise in South Pyongan Province on the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Kim criticized the officials who failed to properly carry out the drainage structure installation work and shifted the responsibility to Premier Kim Deok-hoon. He pointed out, "The administrative and economic discipline of Kim Deok-hoon's cabinet has become increasingly chaotic, and as a result, the irresponsible behavior of hooligans is ruining the national economic projects," adding, "There is a serious problem with the Premier's indifferent attitude toward work and distorted perspective."

It is somewhat unusual that the North Korean state media, usually skillful at packaging news, openly released photos showing the breached embankment without filtering. This is interpreted as presenting the basis for criticism by showing the consequences of the officials' mistakes. In particular, Chairman Kim stated, "The Premier's laxity and passivity are clearly evident. There is a need to thoroughly review his irresponsible work attitude and ideological standpoint from the Party's perspective," even hinting at personnel reshuffles.

Premier Kim Deok-hoon was appointed at the age of 59 in 2020, relatively young among North Korean officials. He is one of the Standing Members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, considered the pinnacle of power, and was often seen wearing a leather long coat symbolizing his close ties to Kim Jong-un during field inspections. He was frequently called upon immediately after Kim Jong-un at major events, earning a reputation as a key power broker.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un is providing on-site guidance at the damage restoration site of Anseok Reclaimed Land in Pyongannam-do on the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Kim's overt verbal assault on his close aide appears to signal the characteristic 'revolving door personnel changes' where officials are replaced based on performance. Especially, making such criticism public in the Rodong Sinmun, which residents read, is interpreted as an intention to shift responsibility for the dire economic situation onto the officials. The supreme leader, who must demonstrate 'infallibility,' emphasizes that there are no mistakes on his part and that difficult circumstances have been caused by the officials.

In fact, a large-scale inspection of not only Premier Kim but also general officials has been announced. Chairman Kim ordered punishment, saying, "Political immature individuals and intellectually deficient people who cannot align with the Party Central's appeals will never be forgiven." He also directly criticized corruption by revealing, "The director of the reclaimed land construction bureau even secretly hid the supplied fuel oil, which is truly outrageous."

Professor Im Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University analyzed, "This site inspection is a very rare phenomenon warning of the highest level of reprimand and large-scale punishment, and a cabinet leadership reshuffle seems certain. It vividly shows how much Kim Jong-un prioritizes 'food issues' and suggests that the Five-Year National Economic Development Plan, which has persistently emphasized achieving its goals, is not going as planned."

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