Jump directly to the content

NORTH Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has executed 30 high ranking officials for failing to stop the devastating floods which rocked the nation.

The apocalyptic flood decimated parts of the Chagang Province which left more than 4,000 North Koreans dead.

a group of men are standing in front of a helicopter with the number 204 on it
6
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has executed 30 officials for neglecting their responsibility to prevent disastersCredit: Reuters
a man in a life jacket is being pushed in a raft by a man in a suit
6
Kim Jong Un and Premier Kim Tok Hun visited a flood-affected area near the border with ChinaCredit: Reuters
a man looks out of a car window while driving through a flooded road
6
Kim Jong-un previously said he wanted to punish those responsible for the heavy casualtiesCredit: AFP

According to South Korean news outlet, Chosun TV, a North Korean official said: "Those who caused unacceptable casualties will be strictly punished.

"It has been determined that 20 to 30 key party individuals in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month.

"Circumstances involving the dismissed Chagang Province Party Secretary Kang Bong-hoon have been captured and are being confirmed."

According to North Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un told authorities to "strictly punish" those he said had "neglected" their responsibilities for disaster prevention.=

Read more world news

The heavy rains pummelled North Korea in July as landslides and flooding affected more than 4,000 homes and isolating 5,000 residents.

Footage previously showed the North Korean dictator personally inspecting the affected areas.

According to KNCA, 15,400 people - including mothers, children, older adults and disabled soldiers were accommodated at facilities in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un said it would take between two and three months to rebuild the flood-hit areas, adding that he had declared parts of three provinces as "special disaster emergency zones".

Flooding is not uncommon in North Korea, which is exacerbated by major deforestation in its mountains and hills.

The dictator previously hit out reports for "spreading the false rumour that the human loss is expected to be more than 1,000 or 1,500" according to KCNA.

Missiles, chemical weapons & nuke secrets… How Kim Jong-un is arming the West’s enemies for Middle East bloodbath

Kim Jong-un added the flooding reports were rumours created by South Korea as a “smear campaign to bring disgrace upon us and tarnish us".

Meanwhile, North Korea is looking to open its doors to boost its tourism and economy.

The secretive regime will allow in overseas visitors for the first time since the pandemic.

But it might struggle to get five-star reviews, judging by destinations leader Kim Jong-un has been seen at.

Holidaymakers willing to make the trip could be in for a less than smashing time at a potato farm — or even attempt to get their pleasure at a lubricant factory.

A firing range Kim visited is more likely to hit the spot.

For now, travellers will be able to visit only the remote city of Samjiyon but officials suggested capital Pyongang will soon be open.

It comes as the dictator looks determined to turn an abandoned hotel into a Vegas style casino - despite gambling being illegal for North Korean residents.

Dictator Kim is now looking for foreign cash to finish the project dubbed the "Hotel of Doom", 37 years since the construction began.

The North Korean government will offer the rights to open a casino in the skyscraper in the capital Pyongyang to a firm that can stump up the cash.

Read More on The Sun

The 105-floor Ryugyong Hotel is 1,080 feet and is the tallest building in North Korea and the most iconic structure in Pyongyang’s skyline.

Currently the country has two casinos, one at the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang and the Bipa Hotel in the Rason Special Economic Zone in the northeast near the border with China and Russia.

a black suv is driving through a flooded area with a license plate that says jc 1586
6
He previously inspected the apocalyptic floods which happened in JulyCredit: AP
a photo of a flooded area taken by the korean central news agency
6
The flooding affected more than 4,000 homes in JulyCredit: AP
a red truck with a license plate that says ' sbs ' on it
6
Flooding is not uncommon in North KoreaCredit: EPA
Topics