North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally directed the rescue and evacuation efforts for thousands of residents stranded due to severe flooding in Sinuiju City and Uiju County.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that “Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the flood-affected areas in Sinuiju City and Uiju County on the 28th,” adding that he “personally ordered the rescue and evacuation operations for residents in disaster-stricken areas and those at risk due to heavy rainfall.”
According to the newspaper, over 5,000 residents became isolated in flood-risk areas on several islands in Sinuiju City and Uiju County on Saturday as record rainfall in the northern border areas and regions near China caused the water level of the Amnok River to surpass dangerous thresholds.
The newspaper reported that immediately after the crisis arose, Kim Jong Un issued a direct order, which prompted senior officials from the party, government, and military to rush to the scene. The Korean People’s Army Air Force helicopters and various navy and border guard rescue boats were quickly deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.
Rescue operations involved over ten helicopters, which made around 20 round trips to rescue more than 4,200 residents. The newspaper stated that Kim emphasized the importance of rescuing everyone, regardless of the circumstances, and ordered several reconnaissance flights over areas where rescues had been completed to ensure no one was left behind.
He praised the pilots’ efforts, shaking hands with each one, stating, “Rescuing people from various flooded areas for about half a day by helicopter is truly an incredible miracle and the epitome of aerospace rescue operations. It’s a source of pride for our party and our country.”
Kim asked to soothe the situation immediately by focusing on preventive treatment measures for flood victims and ensuring their living conditions. Regarding this, he directed the development of follow-up measures by seeking national support, providing relief goods such as food, medicines, and daily necessities from local parties and government agencies, and ordering an emergency meeting to discuss these actions.
He announced that Sinuiju City, Uiju County, and certain areas along the Amnok River in North Pyongan Province, Jagang Province, and Ryanggang Province would be declared emergency disaster zones, and significant measures would be taken for disaster prevention and recovery efforts.
Strong reprimands followed for officials. Kim criticized the lack of preventive measures against flooding, which led to disastrous situations, pointing out the negligence of state agencies and local workers. He stated, “The complacency and opportunism of key officials have reached alarming levels.”
He also commented that blaming nature reflects a defeatist attitude. He noted, “While the National Emergency Response Committee is formally convened, and emergency response committees at the central and provincial levels are organized and operating, their actions are merely symbolic, and they fail to function effectively.”
Kim specifically targeted the military emergency disaster response command and social safety officials, stating, “They couldn’t even accurately grasp the number of residents in disaster-risk areas, which confused rescue operations.” Stating the actual number of residents rescued by the military far exceeded the reported figures, he criticized that in contrast with the miraculous rescue of over 5,000 lives, the severity of their irresponsibility has never been more apparent.
