Media: North Korea executes officials for flood response failures

In late August, North Korean authorities executed 20 to 30 officials who were held responsible for failing to manage the country’s flood defences effectively.

The information was disseminated by the South Korean TV channel TV Chosun, as per Caliber.Az.

Heavy rains had battered the North Korean border city of Sinuiju and Uiju County in North Phyongan Province, leading to significant flooding. The floods inundated 4,100 houses, submerged 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and damaged many public buildings, roads, and railways. The floods caused extensive destruction to infrastructure, with reports from South Korean media outlets indicating that the number of casualties — both dead and missing — could exceed approximately 1,000.

The officials executed included several secretaries of provincial party organizations, who were reportedly held accountable for the failure to adequately respond to the crisis. The executions came in the wake of the DPRK's declaration of a state of emergency on July 31, following the severe flooding.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the flood-affected areas and publicly thanked countries and international organizations for their offers of humanitarian aid. Despite this, Kim emphasized the regime's commitment to self-reliance, asserting that the government would prioritize domestic resources and efforts in managing the disaster and rebuilding from the damage.