Kim Jong-un Promotes 'Compassionate Leadership' at Flood Site with Lifeboat This Time

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, strongly reprimanded or dismissed officials who failed to prevent damage while touring the flood-affected areas by boat. This move is interpreted as an effort to portray himself as a 'benevolent leader' while strengthening internal unity and discipline.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 31st, Chairman Kim held those responsible for the significant damage caused by the floods in Pyonganbuk-do and Jagang-do accountable by replacing the Minister of Social Security and provincial party secretaries. Kim convened the 22nd Emergency Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Sinuiju, Pyonganbuk-do, which was flooded by heavy rain on the 29th and 30th, and made these decisions.

Inspecting Flooded Areas, North Korea's Kim Jong-un
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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The Minister of Social Security corresponds to a high-ranking position similar to our police chief. Ri Tae-seop, who held this position, was dismissed and replaced by Pang Du-seop, the first deputy director of the Party's Military Guidance Department. Ri Hi-yong, former first deputy director of the Party's Organization Guidance Department, was appointed as the Party Secretary of Pyonganbuk-do, and Park Sung-chol, who was the Party Secretary of Pyonganbuk-do, was transferred to replace Kang Bong-hoon, who was dismissed as the Party Secretary of Jagang-do. Jagang-do has a smaller political and economic significance than Pyonganbuk-do, so this personnel change is considered a demotion.

On the first day of the meeting, Chairman Kim stated, "Those who have seriously neglected their responsible duties assigned by the Party and the state, causing unacceptable casualties, will be strictly punished," and personnel changes were made immediately the next day. Kim criticized that although there is a national-level emergency disaster response system, it did not function properly in the early stages, which increased the risk, and that damage occurred even in areas where disaster prevention projects were adequate.

Kim Jong-un of North Korea getting off a private train [Image source=Yonhap News]

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According to North Korean media, due to heavy rain causing the Yalu River to swell, about 4,100 households and 3,000 jeongbo (approximately 3,000 hectares) of farmland, along with public buildings, facilities, roads, and railways in the Sinuiju City and Uiju County areas of Pyonganbuk-do downstream, were repeatedly flooded. However, the scale of casualties has not been disclosed.

The emergency meeting to portray the 'benevolent leader' was held on Kim Jong Un's exclusive train, known as the 'moving office.' It is reported to be equipped with bulletproof features for personal protection and armed with mortars, and also allows for overnight stays. Furthermore, North Korean media released several photos on the day showing Kim inspecting the flood damage by riding a lifeboat, following the previous day's release of images showing him touring the flood sites in a large SUV.

An official from the Ministry of Unification evaluated these actions by saying, "(Kim Jong Un) appears to be shifting responsibility for the damage situation onto the officials' lax discipline," and added, "It seems he is responding swiftly under the judgment that flood damage during the rainy season could lead to worsening public sentiment."

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