More than 5,000 people isolated by severe flooding in northwest North Korea have been rescued through airlifts and other evacuation measures under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un, state media reported Monday.
Heavy rainfall on Saturday caused a river on the North Korean-Chinese border to overflow, creating “a grave crisis,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The deluge affected Sinuiju city and Uiju town, where flooding isolated residents and necessitated immediate evacuation efforts.
To address the emergency, approximately 10 military helicopters, along with navy and government boats, were mobilized. Each helicopter made multiple flights, airlifting 4,200 of the affected residents despite adverse weather conditions, KCNA reported.
Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the evacuation operations on Sunday, ordering the provision of food and other necessities for those affected and outlining tasks for recovery and relief work. He praised the rescue efforts as “miraculous,” noting that more than 5,000 people were saved.
Summer floods in North Korea often lead to significant damage to farmlands due to poor drainage, deforestation, and aging infrastructure. In 2020, typhoons and torrential rains compounded the nation’s challenges, which Kim had described as “multiple crises,” including strict pandemic-related restrictions and U.N. sanctions over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
During his visit to the flooded region, Kim criticized local officials for being unprepared despite prior warnings. “They, seized with defeatism at combat with nature, do not confidently turn out in the disaster prevention work, only expecting chance from the sky,” Kim said, according to KCNA.
Kim emphasized that the irresponsible attitude of those responsible for ensuring public safety should not be overlooked. He highlighted that the North’s emergency response agency and the Ministry of Public Security were unaware of the exact populations of the flood-hit areas, resulting in a higher number of rescues than initially anticipated.
Observers suggest Kim’s criticism may be an attempt to deflect blame while reinforcing his image as a leader committed to the welfare of his people amidst North Korea’s economic difficulties and international isolation.