SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — More than 5,000 people stranded by flooding in northwestern North Korea have been rescued by airlifts and other evacuation efforts under the direction of the leader. Kim Jong-unState media reported on Monday.
Heavy rains on Saturday caused water levels in a river on North Korea’s border with China to exceed the danger level, triggering a “serious crisis,” the Korean Central News Agency reported.
About 10 military helicopters, naval and government ships were mobilized for evacuation efforts in Sinuiju city and Uiju town, where residents have been isolated by flooding.
KCNA did not say how many people died or how much damage was caused by the floods. It said about 10 helicopters made several flights to evacuate residents despite the bad weather, ultimately airlifting 4,200 people to safety.
Kim Jong Un supervised evacuation efforts on Sunday, ordered the provision of food and other necessities to victims and outlined tasks for recovery and relief efforts, the paper said.
The Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as calling the rescue efforts, which have seen more than 5,000 people saved, a “miracle.”
Summer floods in North Korea often cause severe damage to farmland due to poor drainage, deforestation and aging infrastructure. Typhoons and heavy rains in 2020 These are some of the challenges Kim has previously described as causing “multiple crises” in the country, along with strict pandemic-related restrictions and U.N. sanctions over his nuclear weapons program.
During a visit to flood-hit areas over the weekend, Kim scolded officials for letting their guard down despite repeated orders to do so, the Korean Central News Agency said.
“They are gripped by defeatism in the battle against nature, and instead of taking on disaster prevention work with confidence, they are just hoping for a lucky break from heaven,” Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim stressed that the irresponsible attitude of those tasked with keeping people safe should not be overlooked. He said the number of people rescued was higher than expected because North Korea’s emergency response agency and Ministry of Public Security did not even know the exact population of the flood-hit areas.
Observers say Kim’s criticism could be seen as an attempt to shift the blame while promoting his image as a leader who cares about his people at a time when North Korea is struggling with economic difficulties and international isolation.
