＜Inside N. Korea＞Heavy Rain Causes Casualties in the Northeast; Officials Panic Fearing Kim Jong-un's Criticism: "The Blame Game Has Already Begun"

North Korean state media, including Rodong Sinmun, reported that many people were affected by heavy rains in late July in the northwestern regions of Sinuiju and Jagang Province. It has also been revealed that casualties and damage to farmland occurred in Ryanggang Province, upstream of the Yalu River, and North Hamgyong Province in the northeast. Officials, fearing Kim Jong-un's demand for accountability, have reportedly mobilized en masse for restoration work and support for the victims. (ISHIMARU Jiro / KANG Ji-won)

◆ Multiple Deaths from Floods and Levee Breaches

Regarding flood damage, state media such as Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong-un visited the affected areas on July 29, ordering relief and restoration efforts. In Sinuiju and other areas, the military was mobilized and rescued about 5,000 people. While the actual extent of damage is unclear, it appears that there have been significant casualties and flooding of farmland in the affected areas.

However, the flood damage was not limited to the northwest. According to a reporting partner living in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, on July 31, flooding from the mountains hit a rural village near Hoeryong. "Besides damage to the fields, I received a call from a relative saying that two people were swept away and died in the flood, and one cow also died," the reporting partner reported.

Flood damage also occurred in Ryanggang Province, located upstream of the Yalu River. A reporting partner living in Hyesan reported the following on August 2:

"While there's no major damage in central Hyesan, I’ve heard that in Gasan Village, in Pochon County, a levee collapsed on July 26, washing away all the riverside corn fields, and one man and some livestock died. A forced evacuation order was issued, and many people left their homes."

The reporting partner also reported, "In Geomsan Village, on the outskirts of Hyesan, houses along the river collapsed due to landslides, and many people who didn't evacuate were injured."

The reporting partner added that there were also people who went missing after being swept away while trying to collect drifting wood in the flood.

The reporting partner also reported that some border guard posts along the Yalu River were destroyed, with injuries among the soldiers as well.

◆ Unable to Donate Relief Supplies Due to Difficult Living Conditions

The Hyesan reporting partner belongs to the Socialist Women's Union of Korea, which is mainly made up of housewives. The local women's union chapter appealed for donations of relief supplies such as clothing and blankets for flood victims, but "because everyone's life is difficult, all that was collected by the morning of August 1 were 3 sets of work clothes, 5 pairs of old shoes, and 1 used blanket," the partner reported.

At a meeting, the local women's union chapter’s chairwoman got angry, demanding "sincere participation in the support efforts" due to the poor results, but the aid efforts are reportedly lackluster because people who are struggling themselves can only give so much.

Meanwhile, only the families of officials are rushing to donate pots, clothes, rice, and cash, and the reason for this is due to fear, not caring for those in need.

◆ Officials Frightened by Kim Jong-un's Criticism

According to state media, Kim Jong-un inspected the disaster-stricken area of Sinuiju on July 29 and July 30, accompanied by top officials of the ruling Workers' Party. At a meeting, Kim reportedly criticized officials for dereliction of duty and inadequate initial response, saying "unacceptable loss of life occurred" and that they would be "severely punished." Several officials, including the Minister of Social Security (the head of the national police agency), were reportedly dismissed.

Upon hearing this news, officials in Ryanggang Province were reportedly thrown into turmoil. The Hyesan reporting partner explained:

"After learning that Kim Jong-un fired officials in Sinuiju, party officials in Ryanggang Province are mobilizing en masse. They're making a fuss about investigating the damage and mobilizing junior officials to sites where restoration efforts are ongoing. The families of officials are clamoring to donate rice and cash to support the workers mobilized for repair work."

◆ Blame Game for Flood Damage Already Underway

Flood damage from heavy rains is frequent in North Korea, so repair work on river levees and waterways is carried out almost every year in various locations. Workers from factories and businesses, as well as residents, are mobilized and assigned sections for the work. ASIAPRESS understands that a “blame game” over responsibility for construction work in areas affected by this heavy rain has already begun. The Hyesan reporting partner explained the situation as follows:

"It seems that the Hyesan Mine, which was in charge of repairing the levee in the Gasan Village area, will be held responsible. Seeing the central government handing out punishments indiscriminately, lower-level officials are also punishing innocent people recklessly. No matter how hard they work on repairs, there's no way piling up soil and stones alone can stop a flood..."

※ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea