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North Korea
This Week in AsiaPolitics

North Korean blame game: what’s behind Kim Jong-un’s public sacking of vice-minister

By firing vice-minister Yang Sung-ho on the spot, Kim appears to be asserting his authority ahead of a crucial party congress, experts say

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un looks at a robot during a ceremony to mark the completion of the first phase of Ryongsong Machine Complex’s modernisation on Monday. Photo: KCNA/dpa
Park Chan-kyong
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s public dismissal of a vice-minister during an inspection tour of a major industrial zone reflects growing anxiety within the leadership as Pyongyang prepares for a pivotal ruling party congress amid persistent economic strain, according to analysts.
By firing the official on the spot, Kim appears to be signalling zero tolerance for delays and mismanagement while reinforcing his authority ahead of the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea to be held early this year.

Analysts say the move is designed to inject fear and discipline at a time when Kim must showcase achievements after years of sanctions, pandemic isolation and prioritisation of military development over civilian industry.

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Kim has a long record of berating underperforming officials during inspections. However, it is rare for him to dismiss a senior cadre so openly, bypassing party routes and allowing state media to report the incident in detail.

State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday that Kim fired vice-minister Yang Sung-ho while inspecting the modernisation project at the sprawling Ryongsong Machine Complex in the eastern part of the country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) is applauded by workers at the Ryongsong Machine Complex during his inspection tour on Monday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) is applauded by workers at the Ryongsong Machine Complex during his inspection tour on Monday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

“Comrade vice-minister, leave on your own while you still can before it’s too late,” Kim told Yang during the inspection, KCNA reported. “I dismiss the vice-minister right here and now.”

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