SEOUL – Leader North Korea Kim Jong-un has sacked dozens of officials for causing a “crisis” in the fight against the coronavirus and efforts to combat growing hunger in the isolated country.
Victims of the purge included a member of the top committee of the politburo, which only had five members – including Kim himself.
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Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Labor party last week, Kim accused officials of “causing serious incidents that posed a major crisis for the safety of the nation and its people”, the news agency reported. KCNA.
Kim called for the meeting to address “chronic irresponsibility and incompetence” among the country’s top brass. He also criticized officials for being “passive in planning and implementing anti-virus measures amid a protracted pandemic”.
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In the first half of this year alone, the 37-year-old dictator has taken the unprecedented step of chairing three extended Labor Party meetings.
The state’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has repeatedly published warning messages in recent days.
An article from Sunday (4/7/2021) said Kim warned his officials would end up as “revolutionary losers” if they failed to maintain discipline.
“While mistakes made in the process are forgivable, causing critical damage to the party, the state, and our people due to irresponsibility and negligence of duty is never acceptable,” the article added, as reported by The Chosunilbo.
