＜Inside North Korea＞Evacuation of Flood Victims to Pyongyang Seen as 'Show' - Backlash Against Delayed Recovery and Unfairness - People Prioritize Belongings Over Portraits...

In response to the massive flooding that hit northern North Korea in late July, Kim Jong-un took measures to evacuate victims to Pyongyang. According to the Rodong Sinmun, about 13,000 affected residents from North Pyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces along the Yalu River, where damage was severe, arrived in Pyongyang on Aug. 15. Who was selected for this 'Pyongyang evacuation,' and how are residents reacting to this measure? When we asked our reporting partners living in the northern region, it became clear that there is significant dissatisfaction and backlash among residents, with many calling it an 'empty show.' (HONG Mari / KANG Jiwon)

◆ State Media Engages in Extensive Propaganda

North Korean state media is extensively promoting images of flood victims arriving in Pyongyang being moved by Kim Jong-un's speech, and of Kim Jong-un paying attention to children's meals and educational environment.
On Aug. 21, we asked reporting partner A, who lives in Musan County, North Hamgyong Province, if they were aware of the 'Pyongyang evacuation' of flood victims.
"Everyone knows that flood victims were taken to Pyongyang. The government is probably scared of losing public support because so many people died pitifully. People around here are all laughing, saying it's just a 'show'."

◆ 'What's the Point of Measures After Death?'

A went on to say:

"Many people have died, and many bodies haven't been found. The Workers' Party organizations say to take care of the bereaved families, but once someone's dead, it's over. There's a lot of backlash, with people asking what’s the point giving a few kilograms of corn after death. If they had money to take people to Pyongyang, they should have set up flood prevention measures in advance. People are saying behind closed doors that anything done after this much damage is just for propaganda."

A also mentioned that there are missing persons among their acquaintances' families. However, even when families request searches from party committee officials, the officials are not responding properly.

"I know someone in Jagang Province who doesn't know the whereabouts of their entire family. The wife is on the verge of losing her mind. Until the bodies are found and identified, they're treated as missing. We don't even know if they're alive or dead."

◆ Only Families with Completely Destroyed Homes Given Support

According to reporting partner B, who lives in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, only households with completely destroyed homes were selected for the 'Pyongyang evacuation'. Even though households affected by flooding are also struggling, when they request support from the party committee, they are told that their affiliated companies and organizations should take responsibility.

"There's backlash saying the Pyongyang evacuation is just for show. Many people have been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic. It's not just the flood victims who are in a difficult situation."

On Aug. 15, when the flood victims arrived in Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un encouraged them, saying, " All of you, who are present here, as precious members of our people, have remained faithful to our Party all your lives, working with devotion for the prosperity and development of our state; even when left homeless in the aftermath of an unexpected disaster, you treasured your trust in our Party more than your personal property or houses that had been lost, and your confidence in it remains fundamentally unchanged." However, it seems that public sentiment is already turning away.

A said they felt a change in people's behavior during this flood, saying:

"Until now, when fires or floods occurred, people would first carry out portraits (of leaders). But this time, many people were taking out household items like TVs, solar panels, and transformers. It seems people's consciousness is changing."

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