Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, abruptly dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Yang Seung-ho during the inauguration ceremony of the Ryongsong Machine Complex. Using scathing language, he berated officials for their incompetence and irresponsibility, seemingly tightening discipline ahead of the 9th Party Congress.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Tuesday that the completion ceremony for the first phase of modernization at the Ryongsong Machine Complex took place on Monday.
In his speech at the ceremony, Kim attributed the setbacks in the modernization project to irresponsible, crude, and incompetent leadership. He stated that this epitomizes the chronic issues in cabinet operations and clearly exposes the reality of economic leaders who are unfaithful to their duties and incompetent.
Kim harshly criticized responsible officials, labeling them as these types, those lacking essential qualities and abilities, and individuals whose presence or absence makes no difference.
Specifically targeting Deputy Prime Minister Yang, Kim declared him unfit for his current position and unsuitable for high-ranking responsibilities. He bluntly stated that Deputy Prime Minister, should leave on its own accord before it’s too late, announcing his dismissal on the spot.
Kim likened the appointment of the Deputy Prime Minister to putting a yoke on a goat, suggesting it was a random error in their official appointment process. This admission effectively acknowledges a failure in personnel management.
Kim emphasized that not only the former Prime Minister, who had been previously criticized, but also the policy guidance officials who merely observed the modernization project of the Ryongsong Machine Complex should be held accountable.
While the newspaper didn’t specify the identity of the former Prime Minister, speculation points to Kim Tok-hun. Kim Tok-hun has not been seen in public since the 13th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Party in December last year, raising suspicions of severe repercussions.
This event, despite being a completion ceremony, is considered unusual as it focused more on reprimanding and warning officials rather than celebrating achievements or encouraging workers. Analysts interpret this as a move to raise awareness and enforce discipline ahead of the 9th Party Congress.
By publishing the full text of his speech in the newspaper, accessible to citizens, Kim appears to be sending a stern warning to officials and the public nationwide.
Kim has consistently reprimanded officials during on-site inspections to maintain work discipline. Last October, at the completion ceremony of the Pyongyang General Hospital, he harshly criticized some officials as lacking common sense, understanding, and even motivation. This criticism was likely due to repeated construction delays, despite his directive to complete the project by October 2020.
Observers predict that Kim will likely continue this official discipline enforcement until the 9th Party Congress, expected in February. Some analysts suggest that a major personnel reshuffle, along with reorganization of party guidance and disciplinary systems, could occur during the congress.
Yang Mu-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, noted that the dismissal of Yang Seung Ho, who like Kim Tok-hun comes from the alternative machinery industry background, signals the formation of a new cabinet ahead of the 9th Party Congress. He suggested that the next cabinet might prioritize figures with strong revolutionary credentials over technical bureaucrats.