Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid a fourth trip to inspect recovery efforts in flood-hit northwestern parts of the country, state media reported on Tuesday. Kim inspected the reconstruction in flood-hit areas in North Phyongan province on Monday, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kim was accompanied by provincial party chief Ri Hi Yong, commanding officers of the Korean People’s Army units, and members of the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade. This brigade, known for its vanguard status within the Kim-led Workers Party of Korea, was tasked with the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Sinuiju city and Uiju county of the province.
The Shock Brigade was deployed to the flood-affected region in August, following heavy rains in July that resulted in widespread flooding across North Korea’s northern and central regions. Thousands of people were displaced, prompting the government to mobilize hundreds of volunteers for rescue and recovery
operations.
With a vision to transform the affected areas into a ‘modern rural city,’ Kim called for the successful completion of planned projects, urging for ‘greater innovations’ in the weeks ahead. He directed officials to implement ‘some state measures to successfully finish the projects… before the December Party plenary,’ emphasizing the importance of timely and effective recovery efforts.