The South Korean television channel TV Chosun, citing unnamed sources, claims that the DPRK could allegedly execute a number of officials for flood damage.
⠀
According to the channel’s sources, at the end of July, North Korea allegedly executed several officials, holding them responsible for the floods that occurred in several areas of the DPRK amid heavy rainfall. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service also said it was “closely monitoring” the situation, the station said.
⠀
It is said that among those executed was likely the Workers’ Party of Korea executive secretary for Chagang-do Province, which was hit hardest by the floods, Kang Bong-hun. It is noted that Chagando is an area with many weapons production facilities.
⠀
At the same time, the channel does not provide actual evidence of the alleged execution of North Korean officials.
⠀
On July 28, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while visiting flood-affected areas in Pyongan Province, “strongly condemned the negligent performance of duties” on the part of relevant government agencies and local workers who did not take any measures to prevent flooding, which led to a “catastrophic situation.” Also on July 29–30, Kim Jong-un held an extended meeting of the Politburo of the 8th Workers’ Party Central Committee in Sinuiju, where, together with Minister of Public Security Lee Tae-seop, he removed the executive secretary for Chagang-do, Kang Bong-hun, from his post. Park Seong-chul, the party’s executive secretary for Pyongan Province, was transferred to a position in Chagang-do Province, which, according to the publication, is a demotion since Pyongan Province is considered a more important province.
⠀
As the TV channel suggests, Kim Jong-un could have visited the province of Pyongan Buk-do rather than Chagang-do in order to avoid leaking information about military facilities concentrated in that province where the damage was more significant.
