In a chilling display of totalitarian control, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered the execution of up to 30 officials following their alleged failure to prevent devastating floods and landslides that claimed the lives of approximately 4,000 people this summer. According to South Korean media outlet TV Chosun, these officials, charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, paid the ultimate price for their perceived incompetence.
The executions were reportedly carried out simultaneously late last month, a stark reminder of the brutal and unforgiving nature of Kim’s regime. While independent verification of these reports remains pending, the North Korean Central News Agency had previously indicated that Kim demanded severe punishment for those responsible for the catastrophic events in Chagang province, where the flooding caused widespread destruction and displaced over 15,000 people.
The identity of those executed has not been fully disclosed, but it is known that Kang Bong-hoon, the provincial party committee secretary of Chagang since 2019, was among those dismissed by Kim in the wake of the disaster. His fate remains uncertain, but given Kim’s track record, it’s unlikely to be a positive one.
This brutal crackdown is not an isolated incident. North Korea has a long history of public executions, often used as a tool to instill fear and maintain control over the population. The Korea Times reports that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the regime conducted an average of 10 public executions annually. Disturbingly, that number has reportedly surged, with at least 100 executions taking place last year alone.
Kim Jong Un’s iron-fisted approach to leadership has been well-documented, with his willingness to eliminate anyone perceived as a threat to his power or a failure in their duties. The world witnessed this in 2019 when reports surfaced that Kim Hyok Chol, North Korea’s nuclear envoy to the United States, was executed for failing to negotiate a successful summit between Kim and then-President Donald Trump. While it was later revealed that Chol was merely in state custody, the incident underscored the unpredictable and often deadly nature of Kim’s rule.
In this latest instance, Kim’s decision to execute officials for the natural disaster highlights the severe consequences of failing to meet his impossible expectations. While natural disasters are, by definition, beyond human control, in Kim’s North Korea, accountability seems to mean paying with one’s life.
The North Korean leader’s denial of the South Korean reports on the death toll further exemplifies his regime’s isolationist stance and reluctance to acknowledge the extent of the devastation. Kim was recently seen surveying the flood-ravaged areas, promising months of reconstruction, but his focus on punishing scapegoats rather than addressing the underlying issues speaks volumes about his leadership style.
As North Korea continues its oppressive reign, the international community can only speculate about the true conditions within its borders. Kim Jong Un’s ruthless actions serve as a stark reminder of the brutal realities faced by those who live under one of the world’s most repressive regimes. For the officials who fell out of favor, their tragic end is just another chapter in the grim story of North Korea under Kim’s rule.
