North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered the execution of 30 officials. According to South Korean media outlet TV Chosun, these officials were punished for their failure to effectively manage the severe flooding that occurred in North Korea.
In July, North Korea experienced heavy rainfall, leading to landslides and floods that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,000 people and the destruction of 4,000 homes. However, Kim Jong-un had dismissed these figures as inaccurate. He personally visited the flood-affected areas to assess the situation.
Officials Accused of Corruption and Negligence
The officials who were executed were found guilty of corruption and neglecting their duties. They were held responsible for the damage and loss of life during the disaster. North Korea’s state media, KCNA, reported that Kim Jong-un had ordered severe punishment for these officials. However, the identities of the executed officials have not been disclosed.
Kim Jong-un stated that it could take 2-3 months to rebuild the flood-affected areas. He also declared three provinces in the country as special disaster emergency zones.
Rise in Public Executions Since the Pandemic
According to South Korean media outlet The Korean Times, there has been a significant increase in public executions in North Korea since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Before the pandemic, there were about 10 public executions reported each year in North Korea. However, now around 100 people are publicly executed annually.
Previous Incidents of Public Executions
In July, the North Korean government reportedly executed 30 minor students in public. These students were accused of watching South Korean dramas stored on USB drives. South Korean media outlet Chosun reported that these students were shot dead for violating the country’s strict media regulations.
In June, around 30 minors, aged 17, were sentenced to life imprisonment or death for similar offenses. According to a BBC report, in January this year, two minors were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor after being caught with Korean videos.
In North Korea, there is a ban on Japanese, Korean, and American dramas. Only Russian cinema or content approved by the government is allowed. Under North Korea’s Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act, implemented in December 2020, those caught distributing South Korean media can face the death penalty, while viewers can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
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