[imText1]The 500mm~800mm of rainfall and strong winds which hit North Korea on the 7th has damaged 150 different cities and provinces, killing 600 persons and injuring thousands of others, revealed the North Korean Central Statistic Bureau on Chosun (North Korea) Central News Agency, Aug 25th.
It is an unprecedented case for the North Korean Central Statistic Bureau to officially reveal figures so openly through the Chosun Central News Agency.
Very rarely does North Korea announce its statistics by the Central Statistic Bureau. Often statistics publicly revealed by North Korean authorities are falsified and any data announced has been disclosed for other needs and reasons.
Hence, it is difficult to eliminate the possibility that the figures released by the Central Statistic Bureau may in fact be mislead. However, it is an undeniable unprecedented act for the Chosun Central News Agency to announce any figures regarding mass floods by investigations conducted by the Central Statistic Bureau.
In addition, North Korea made an exceptional effort to update continuous reports on the flood situation. Furthermore, in contrast to last year, the “Arirang performance” was not cancelled despite the flood recovery relief. From an outsiders perspective, this is something incomprehensible.
For sure, the only thing that did not change was the fact that Kim Jong Il did not make any appearances to flood disaster sites.
The DailyNK has analyzed 4 critical responses by North Korean authorities in relation to reports made by North Korea.
1. Latest updates on the flood situation
During the mass flood disaster in 1995, North Korea barely informed the international community of its circumstances and even during the flood last year, reports were made after a month had passed. However, reports on North Korea’s flood disaster which began on the 13th have not ceased with the latest news broadcasted every day.
One of the reasons behind this urgent report may be the fact that the recent flood was such a large scale that it would be difficult for North Korea to recover without any foreign assistance. Further, some argue that following the recovery of the Yongcheon explosion, North Korea has discarded its honor and changed its mindset to gain more reparations. Therefore, North Korea is broadcasting the latest news in order to gain as much foreign assistance as possible.
Some say that the government fears discontent from the people if new agreements are not accomplished while others argue that North Korea is aiming to maximize aid from South Korea with the upcoming Inter-Korea Summit talks.
2. Continuing Arirang performance
Despite the large scale damages inflicted on Pyongyang by the flood, the ‘Arirang’ performance continues.
Average citizens, the government and the military have been mobilized to help in the restoration relief. However, the “Arirang” performance, a performance which requires the participation of hundreds and thousands of people continues to be showcased.
Though North Korea revealed that the Arirang performance will be played with the mindset that it could overcome any adversity, others analyze that it would not be able to cancel the Arirang performance despite severe flood damages as it attracted too much foreign currency.
In 2005, the Arirang performance profited $11mn and having cancelled the show last year, many argue that it would be difficult to abandon the show two years in a row. It’s also possible that this was a measure to inhibit disturbances amongst the North Korean people while further exemplifying the systems prosperity.
3. Kim Jong Il absent at flood locations
While North Korea experiences hardship from the mass flood, their leader, Kim Jong Il is no where to be seen.
From July 31st until Aug 13th, North Korean media reported news of Kim Jong Il’s visits and inspections on the military facilities around the regions of North and South Hamkyung. Once the flood situation was reported on the 14th, reports of Kim Jong Il’s public appearances had dissipated for around 10days.
Then once North Korea’s flood situation had become known, the Chosun Central News Agnecy made a report on the 23rd regarding Kim Jong Il’s first public visit to cultural and art museums.
Though there is the reason of security, another truth as to why Kim Jong Il did not make any appearances may have been to protect his image as great leader. Further, there were concerns that he may even feel a pain of responsibility if personal visits had been made to the flood disaster locations.
4. Announcement by the North Korean Central Statistics Bureau
On the 25th, the North Korean Central Statistics Bureau revealed that 600 people had been killed by the flood and hundreds and thousands of others injured. Further, the bureau revealed that 240,000 homes had been damaged and immersed either completely or partly in water as well as making detailed reports on damages incurred on agriculture and industry.
Throughout the past, North Korea’s Central Statistics Bureau only released its data directly to Kim Jong Il, affiliated directors, secretaries and officials. Hence, many recognize the recent reports as unprecedented considering that data from the bureau regarding the population and or military issues had never been released in the past.
