Kim Jong-Un Gives Death Sentence to 30 Officials for ‘Failing’ to Check Deaths in Floods

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the execution of 30 officials as they allegedly failed to prevent floods and landslides that claimed 1,000 lives, reported South Korean media.

Around 20 to 30 leaders were charged with corruption and dereliction of duty and were sentenced to death, TV Chosun reported, quoting a North Korean official.

In August, around 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed, the official told the television network.

Heavy rains damaged the North border city of Sinuiju and Uiju County in North Phyongan Province flooding 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and many public buildings, structures, roads, and railways, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The number of those who died or went missing exceeded 1,000. Recently, Kim visited Uiju County to meet flood victims.

North Korea’s public executions have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, there were 10 public executions per year. Now there are around 100 annual public executions.