In the northeastern region of North Korea, heavy rains that occurred in late July caused river gullies as well as houses and other structures to be destroyed. Uncountable numbers of people were swept away by the storms, many of whom are also missing.
The Kim community government has had eight decades to come up with effective strategies to deal with flooding, which is a problem that plagues the nation. The government has worked on changing the photonics, but in material, it appears that not a lot about its actions has changed. Third-generation head Kim Jong Un keeps following his father’s and husband’s well-thumbed handbook.
The program can be seen to have once again emphasised these handbook messages in a number of reports published over the course of August by Osaka-based AsiaPress:
- Mobilize the poor.
- Construct with the same old bad construction.
- Consider scapegoats to blame and condemn.
- Change disaster into Kim personality religion advertising.
State media reported that AsiaPress cited them as having done so.
On July 29, Kim Jong-un ordered comfort and recovery efforts and a visit to the affected regions. In Sinuiju and other locations. The army was mobilized and rescued about 5, 000 persons. Although the precise nature of the damage is unknown, it appears that the affected areas have experienced considerable casualties and flooding of farmland.
Through Chinese mobile phones that were smuggled into the country, AsiaPress maintains communication with “reporting lovers” inside of North Korea. Here are some storm reporting that mentions a source.
The Hyesan investigating spouse belongs to the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, which is primarily made up of women. The local children’s union chapter appealed for funds of relief products such as clothing and blankets for flood victims, but , “because one’s life is difficult, all that was collected by the morning of August 1 were three pieces of work clothes, five sets of old boots, and one used blanket” , , the mate reported.
At a meeting, the local children’s union chapter’s director got angry, demanding ,” sincere involvement in the support work”  , due to the poor benefits, but the support initiatives are reportedly lackluster because people who are struggling themselves can only give so much.
However, only the people of officials are rushing to volunteer pots, clothes, corn, and money, and the reason for this is due to fear, no caring for those in need.
Kim Jong Un, in collaboration with leading Workers ‘ Party officials, and top officials from the disaster-stricken region of Sinuiju, reportedly conducted an inspection of the area on July 29 and 30. At a conference, Kim apparently criticized authorities for dereliction of duty and limited original comment, saying “unacceptable loss of life occurred” and that they would be” greatly punished”. Many officials, including the… head of the national police agency, were apparently fired.
Leaders in Ryanggang Province reportedly found themselves in turmoil after learning this information. The Hyesan monitoring companion explained:
” Party leaders in Ryanggang Province are mobilizing in large numbers after learning that Kim Jong Un fired Sinuiju authorities.” They’re causing a stir by conducting an investigation into the injury and sending young officials to locations where restoration efforts are still being done. The officials ‘ people are clamoring to volunteer rice and money to pay the employees being mobilized for repairs.
In North Korea, heavy rains frequently cause storm damage, so maintenance work on creek levees and waters is carried out nearly annually in various locations. Employees from businesses and companies, as well as occupants, are mobilized and assigned sections for the job. According to AsiaPress, development work in areas affected by this large rain has already begun in a “blame activity.” The Hyesan monitoring partner described the circumstance as follows:
” It seems that the Hyesan Mine, which was in command of repairing the river in the Gasan Village region, will be held liable. Seeing the central government turning out punishments randomly, lower-level leaders are also punishing innocent persons aggressively. No matter how hard they work on maintenance, there’s no means piling up dirt and rocks only can stop a storm”.
AsiaPress contacted the reporting partner for Hyesan a month into August to inquire what steps the authorities were taking and how the restoration efforts were progressing. She replied:
No foods has yet been delivered. We heard that the state-run grain shops would distribute rice, but it has n’t happened yet. How are they supposed to live off three pounds of corn at the Hyesan Mine, where they are supposed to give it to each employee?
There were orders to improve disaster recovery help efforts, and officials, as well as governmental agencies, are all organized to focus on recovery work. Especially in rural areas, the people’s committee ( local government ) seems so busy to directly report all field damage situations to the central government. They’re taking photos and tallying up the damage.
Separately, officials are demanding that each household in the people’s units voluntarily contribute 3, 000 won each. But no one is paying.
Employees at enterprises are being mobilized for levee repair work, but without cement, they’re just piling up stones. It’s obvious that they will collapse once more after being done this…
I’ve heard that all party officials in Ryanggang Province have submitted self-criticism reports, claiming that local officials ‘ expediency and defeatism caused the flood damage. They were instructed to list the party policies they had in place as well as the gaps.
[ The authorities ] broadcast broadcasts and give lectures to applaud those who have mobilized or given their support. They promote the notion that being kind to one another during difficult times is a noble communist custom and patriotism.
However, only those with good money can provide support, and they are attempting to get their names listed. Those with difficult lives ca n’t contribute much, so they become cautious because if they do contribute, they might be suspected of why they have the means]to provide support ].
Homeless to Pyongyang
AsiaPress contacted the reporting partner to inquire about Kim Jong Un’s announcement that he would bring homeless flood victims to Pyongyang ( as opposed to those whose loyalty to the regime is viewed as fragile ) and about Kim’s rejection of aid requests from South Korea, Russia, and other international organizations. She replied:
I’m not sure why they’re taking them to Pyongyang. Maybe it’s for show? …
Regarding the refusal of external aid, there’s a backlash, with people saying,” We’re’ beggars.’ How are we supposed to handle this” with only pride”?
Later in August, the central apparatus realized that soliciting donations from regular people would not suffice. According to reports from North Korea,” the Workers ‘ Party and the state will handle flood victim support,” according to AsiaPress. This appears to be the government’s response to growing unease among regular people who have been made to provide supplies like clothing and bedding for victims.
Another reporting partner, who was in North Hamgyong Province, was cited by The Journal as having provided this information on August 12:
Reportedly, flood victims are being taken to Pyongyang. Meanwhile, the state claims it will restore damaged houses and provide all household appliances. The goal is to have all affected households moved in by October 10 and new homes occupied by September 9.
The restoration of damaged homes is currently being done using total mobilization from government to regular people. Each province is mobilizing its” Urban Construction Corps,” with those who had previously been mobilized for other tasks now being directed to flood recovery efforts.
Around 13, 000 flood victims arrived in Pyongyang on August 15, according to the party organ Rodong Sinmun. It became clear that there is significant dissatisfaction and backlash among residents of the northern region when we asked our reporting partners, with many calling it an “empty show,” according to AsiaPress.
” On August 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”. A’s reply:
Everyone is aware of the evacuation of the flood victims in Pyongyang. Because so many people passed away pitifully, the government is probably afraid to lose support from the general public. People around here are all laughing, saying it’s just a” show”.
Many people have died, and many bodies have n’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. They should have set up flood prevention measures in advance if they had the money to transport people to Pyongyang. Behind closed doors, people are claiming that any action taken after this much damage is just for propaganda.
Kim Jong Un praised the flood victims on August 15 by expressing his support for their efforts to advance the prosperity and development of our nation.” All of you, who are present here, as precious members of our people, have remained faithful to our Party your entire lives, working with devotion for the prosperity and development of our state, even when you were left homeless in the aftermath of an unexpected disaster, you treasure your trust in our party more than your personal property or your homes that had been lost, and your confidence in it has continued fundamentally
In fact, the AsiaPress article observed, “it seems that public sentiment is already turning away”. A statement from its reporting partner B, who resides in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, came as the conclusion of its six-part report.
” Until now, when fires or floods occurred”, B noted, “people would first carry out portraits” of the Kim rulers” – which citizens are required to protect literally with their lives”. But this time, many people were taking out household items like TVs, solar panels and transformers. It seems people’s consciousness is changing.”
Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty, a history of the nation during Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il’s reign, is written by Bradley K. Martin. Additionally, Martin is the author of the novel Nuclear Blues, which is set in North Korea during Kim Jong Un’s current rule.