North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has not yet visited the country’s northeast region devastated by floods more than two weeks ago, despite the situation being referred to as the worst disaster in half a century.
In a bid to quell anger and win over public support, the regime has called on all Party members, citizens, and soldiers nationwide to support recovery efforts, mobilizing an unprecedented 100,000 people to the disaster-stricken region of North Hamgyong Province to aid in recovery efforts. However, Kim has not yet toured the border towns, leading to speculation that the regime is concerned about the unknown outcomes it may have.
Since the North’s fifth nuclear test on September 9, Kim Jong Un has toured Farm No. 1116 operated by Korean People’s Army Unit 810, a medical oxygen factory, and the Combined Fruit Farm in Kosan, Kangwon Province in an apparent display of his ‘care for the public’.
However, his conspicuous absence from the northeast region in which tens of thousands have been displaced is likely to add fuel to growing anger among residents. Earlier, Daily NK reported that some residents have said they are “lost for words” about Pyongyang’s nuclear test, which proceeded despite the floods.
Pyongyang’s UN mission has dispatched emails requesting help from several aid organizations. However, some residents are said to have been vocal in criticizing the leadership for driving itself into isolation with its nuclear provocations.
This is why much attention is focused on whether Kim Jong Un will visit the disaster-hit region – something experts believe is likely to come at a later time.
“When Rason was hit by floods last year, Kim Jong Un visited the region well after 15 days had passed. So I’m guessing he will visit after some recovery work has been completed,” Seo Jae Pyeong, general secretary of the Committee for the Democratization of North Korea, told Daily NK. “Right now, no progress has been made in recovery, so the area is barren. Kim Jong Un won’t want to visit a place that looks like that now.”
The leader may also be delaying the trip out of concern that public emotions are still too raw. “If Kim Jong Un visits the area, he needs to at least provide materials that will help with reconstruction, but if his contributions have little impact, public discontent may grow,” noted Kim Kwang In, head of Korea Advancement Solidarity.
Another reason to postpone his visit until some parts have been rebuilt is because of the negative picture it may paint for his leadership, highlighting the limits of the young leader’s abilities. In the case of Rason’s flooding last year, Kim Jong Un toured the region after much of the recovery work was completed and the event was promoted as underscoring the leader’s ‘love for the public’ and the strength of self-reliance.
