Kim Jong Un Dismisses Vice Premier During Factory Inspection: "Leave of Your Own Accord"

Cabinet Discipline Tightened Ahead of 9th Party Congress

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, criticized the irresponsibility and self-preservation tendencies of cabinet officials during an inspection of a factory site and dismissed the vice premier in charge of the project. This move is seen as an effort to tighten discipline within the cabinet ahead of the 9th Party Congress of the Workers' Party, expected to be held next month, and as a signal of an impending personnel reshuffle.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on January 20, Chairman Kim delivered a speech at the completion ceremony for the first phase of modernization at the Ryongsong Machinery Complex in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, the previous day. He stated, "The vice premier (Yang Sungho) in charge of the machinery industry is not suitable for his current position," and added, "I recommend to Premier Park Taesong that another person be appointed in place of this vice premier when forming the new government."

Yonhap News Agency

In his speech that day, Chairman Kim publicly revealed the reasons behind the delay in the first phase renovation project at the Ryongsong Machinery Complex. He pointed out that the project had been carried out in a "haphazard" and "deceptive" manner, and after the Central Committee of the Party deployed experts from the munitions industry to review the situation, they found more than 60 issues that needed to be corrected. He also criticized cabinet officials for shifting responsibility to the munitions industry sector even after being reprimanded.

Chairman Kim said, "Vice Premier, leave of your own accord while you still can, before it is too late," and declared, "Today, I am dismissing the vice premier from his post." He further commented on Yang Sungho, saying, "I do not consider this to be anti-Party activity," but criticized him for "attempting to deceive the Party Central Committee with improper words and actions." He also likened Yang's appointment to "hitching a cart to a goat."

Yang Sungho, who has overseen the machinery industry for over five years as vice premier, is also a candidate member of the Party Politburo, making him a high-ranking official. The public criticism and dismissal of Yang on site appears intended to instill a sense of urgency within the cabinet.

There is also a possibility that further disciplinary actions will follow. Chairman Kim stated, "Although they have already been criticized, not only the former Premier Kim Tokhun but also the senior officials responsible for policy guidance, who neglected their duties and acted merely as bystanders regarding the renovation and modernization of the Ryongsong Machinery Complex, should also be held accountable."

Chairman Kim emphasized, "We must decisively eradicate the deeply rooted and severe irresponsibility, self-preservation, and idleness among officials," and added, "We must target and address the phenomena where people pretend to be committed to implementing decisions but are actually concerned with their own safety and self-interest, unable to shake off escapism and short-sighted attitudes, through ideological education and an ideological offensive."