The information was broadcast by a South Korean television channel and the secret services said they were monitoring the situation. Some experts expressed scepticism, but during a Politburo meeting, Kim Jong-un said he would punish those who had “neglected” their duties.
Seoul () – A South Korean television station reported that North Korea has executed dozens of officials believed responsible for the damage caused by the floods that hit the north of the country in July.
Citing an anonymous South Korean government source, Chosun TV He said that between 20 and 30 officials had been shot in recent days, although Some experts have expressed skepticism on that statement.
However, Seoul’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said this morning that it was “closely monitoring” developments, but did not provide further details. Seoul’s Union Ministry, which is in charge of relations with North Korea, declined to comment.
Thousands of people are estimated to have died in the floods, which hit mainly Jagang province on the border with China, where the Yalu (or Amnok) river flows. South Korean media reported that bodies were found during land reclamation work.
North Korea’s propaganda machine had released photographs of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un overseeing rescue operations, but without reference to the death toll. However, the Korean Central News Agency Pyongyang said the rains damaged more than 4,100 homes and destroyed about 3,000 hectares of farmland in the area of the city of Sinuiju, a commercial hub connected to China by a bridge. About 5,000 people were moved to safety.
During an emergency Politburo meeting in late July, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said he would punish government officials found guilty of causing casualties for having completely “neglected” their duties.
The news agency Yonhap meanwhile, reported that former secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee, Kang Pong-hun, could be among those executed. Kang and other Party members, including Public Security Minister Ri Thae-sop, were removed from their posts at the emergency Politburo meeting.
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