North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken decisive action against a senior official. He dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung Ho from his position. This move comes after significant failures in a major industrial project.
Factory Project Sparks Leadership Crackdown
The Korean Central News Agency reported the dismissal on Tuesday. Kim Jong Un made the announcement during a speech on Monday. He was marking the completion of the first-stage modernization at the Ryongsong Machine Complex.
This industrial facility is located in northeastern North Korea. Kim placed direct blame on Yang Sung Ho for the project's problems. He accused the vice premier of creating what he called "unnecessary man-made confusion."
Economic Consequences and Official Incompetence
Kim Jong Un did not mince words about the project's failures. He stated that irresponsible and incompetent officials caused substantial economic damage. The leader revealed that the project suffered "not a small amount of economic loss."
According to state media reports, authorities wasted large amounts of funds and labor. This mismanagement placed additional burdens on North Korea's munitions industry sector. The country's weapons programs now face heavier challenges due to these failures.
Previous Warnings and Final Decision
This was not Yang Sung Ho's first warning. Kim Jong Un revealed that he had criticized the vice premier during a party meeting in December. The leader said he watched Yang closely after that meeting.
Kim expressed disappointment with what he observed. He found that Yang showed "no sense of responsibility at all." This lack of accountability led to the final decision. Kim declared, "As of today, I declare you dismissed, comrade vice premier."
Broader Context of Economic Struggles
This dismissal occurs against a backdrop of persistent economic difficulties in North Korea. Kim Jong Un has repeatedly pushed to overcome what he calls defeatism and passiveness in economic sectors. He has made addressing chronic economic problems a priority.
Public rebukes and firings of senior officials have become occasional tools for Kim. He uses these actions to restore discipline and assign blame for economic hardships. The country's economy suffered major setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent economic data shows some growth. South Korea's central bank reported that North Korea's economy grew 3.7% in 2024. However, many observers remain skeptical about sustained rapid growth.
Several factors continue to challenge North Korea's economic development:
- Devotion of scarce resources to weapons programs
- Inefficient highly centralized economy
- Persistent international sanctions
Political Timing and Upcoming Events
The dismissal comes ahead of an important political gathering. North Korea is preparing for a ruling Workers' Party congress. This will be the first such congress in five years.
South Korea's intelligence service suggests the congress will likely open later in January or February. The event is expected to establish new economic and state objectives. Kim's action against the vice premier appears designed to strengthen discipline among senior officials before this significant meeting.
This pattern of holding officials accountable reflects Kim Jong Un's leadership style. He combines economic development goals with strict political control. The dismissal sends a clear message to other senior officials about performance expectations.
