North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, executed 30 high-ranking officials in response to their failure to prevent the catastrophic floods that devastated parts of the nation, particularly the Chagang Province. Over 4,000 North Koreans lost their lives in the catastrophic floods that struck in July, which also caused thousands of civilians to be relocated, according to The Sun.
According to a report by Chosun TV, a news station based in South Korea, these executions took place near the end of the month. According to a comment, a North Korean official, "Those who caused unacceptable casualties will be strictly punished." Kang Bong-hoon, the former party secretary of Chagang Province, was one among the people under investigation.
People who "neglected" their disaster prevention obligations would face "strict punishment," according to an order issued by Kim Jong-un through the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Over 4,000 homes were destroyed and 5,000 people were left homeless as a result of the floods brought on by the copious amounts of rain. As Kim personally toured the districts affected by the flooding, she emphasized the gravity of the incident and the government's resolve to rehabilitate.
It will take two to three months, the North Korean leader declared, to rebuild the areas affected by the floods. He declared parts of three provinces as "special disaster emergency zones," reflecting the extensive damage caused by the natural disaster. The country, which is prone to flooding, has been significantly impacted by deforestation, exacerbating the effects of such events, The Sun reported.
In response to reports of the human toll, Kim dismissed claims that the death toll was over 1,000 or 1,500, labeling them as "false rumors." According to KCNA, he accused South Korea of creating these rumors as part of a "smear campaign" aimed at tarnishing North Korea's reputation.
In a different trend, North Korea is supposedly trying to stimulate the economy and travel by opening its borders to foreigners for the first time since the epidemic. The unconventional choices, which include highlighting locations like a gun range, a lubricant plant, and a potato farm, can turn off some prospective travelers. At first, just the outlying city of Samjiyon will be open to tourists, but there are rumors that Pyongyang, the capital, may follow shortly.
In addition, The Sun reported that Kim wants to draw in outside capital to finish the long-stalled Ryugyong Hotel project, also dubbed the "Hotel of Doom." The 1,080-foot, 105-story skyscraper is still incomplete after 37 years of construction. Any company that can raise the required capital is being offered the opportunity to establish a casino within the hotel by the government. One of the most recognizable buildings in Pyongyang's skyline is the Ryugyong Hotel, which is the highest tower in North Korea. There are now two casinos in the nation: one is located in Pyongyang at the Yanggakdo Hotel, and the other is located in the Rason Special Economic Zone, close to the borders with China and Russia, at the Bipa Hotel.