North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Yang Sung-ho. According to the Korean news agency KCNA, Kim Jong Un arrived at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on Monday to inaugurate the first phase of an industrial project. During his address, Kim ordered Yang Sung-ho’s removal. He also reprimanded the Deputy Prime Minister. From the stage, Kim told the Deputy Prime Minister, “Leave here on your own two feet before it’s too late.” Kim said Yang was unfit to handle such heavy responsibilities. Kim said, “A goat can’t pull a cart. This was a mistake in our cadre appointment system. After all, a cart is pulled by an ox, not a goat.” Kim Jong Un said, “Gave him many chances, but there was no improvement.” Kim Jong Un said that he had given Yang several chances to correct serious mistakes made in the first phase of modernization of the Ryongsong Machine Complex. Despite this, there was no improvement in the work. Kim also clarified that removing Yang from his post was necessary, but that does not mean he should be considered “anti-party.” According to Kim, Yang made suggestions to the party’s Central Committee that were neither practical nor based on truth. He alleged that Yang tried to mislead the party for his own benefit, even at a crucial party meeting last month. He explained that despite all this, he gave Yang another chance, but later it became clear that he lacked a sense of responsibility. He said, “This person has been like this from the beginning and cannot be considered worthy of any major responsibility.” Blaming officials for delays in work, this action comes at a time when the ruling Workers’ Party is preparing for the Ninth Party Congress. Such public reprimanding of an official is not considered common in North Korea. Yang Sung-ho was previously the country’s Minister of Machinery Industry. He was later promoted to Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for the machinery sector. According to South Korea’s state-run Yonhap news agency, he was part of the party’s top leadership, but his role there wasn’t permanent. It hasn’t yet been announced who will replace him. According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un blamed economic policy officials for the delays in modernizing the Ryongsong Machine Complex. He said that the project’s negligence and incompetence had caused numerous problems. Last week, Kim Jong-un replaced three officials. Kim Jong-un also expressed his displeasure with party members who had been negligent in their work for a long time. He said that the current economic policy officials were incapable of reorganizing the country’s industry and advancing it technologically. According to South Korea’s state-run news agency, Yonhap, Kim’s public warning is not unexpected. It is seen as an attempt to instill fear and discipline among officials ahead of the party’s ninth congress, ensuring that all leaders and officials work with caution. Yonhap also reported that earlier last week, Kim Jong Un replaced the top military officers responsible for his security. This included the heads of three major units: the ruling party’s guard office, the guard department of the State Affairs Commission, and the bodyguard command. Kim Jong Un executed his uncle. Public executions are rare in North Korea, but such cases have occurred before. In 2013, Kim Jong Un’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, was executed for allegedly plotting a coup. In addition to plotting a coup, Thaek was accused of corruption, anti-party activities, improper relations with foreign powers, especially China, and damaging the country’s economy. This case was significant because Jang Song-thaek was once considered one of North Korea’s most powerful leaders. In December 2013, Jang Song-thaek was arrested in public during a key party meeting. State TV also broadcast footage of his arrest, which was highly unusual in North Korea.
