North Korea's Kim Jong Un has taken an unprecedented step by publicly rebuking senior officials, including firing Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho during the inauguration ceremony of a modernisation project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex.
In a rare display of public disapproval, Kim deemed Yang "unfit to be entrusted with heavy duties," according to state media, citing the official's role in delays affecting the project as the reason for his dismissal.
Kim took aim at officials who he deemed incompetent and "incompetent" party members responsible for the delays. He also slammed those who had "been accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness."
The public rebuke comes ahead of a significant event in North Korea's ruling Workers' Party: its Ninth Party Congress, which is expected to set out major policy goals for the country.
Experts have noted that the move mirrors past cases where Kim Jong Un publicly dismissed senior officials before executing them. In this instance, Kim appears to be using public accountability as a shock tactic to warn party officials about their performance and expectations ahead of the upcoming Party Congress.
The North Korean leader's actions underscore the ongoing struggle for power within the secretive regime. The firings of key officials may signal a deeper shakeup in the country's ruling hierarchy.
In a rare display of public disapproval, Kim deemed Yang "unfit to be entrusted with heavy duties," according to state media, citing the official's role in delays affecting the project as the reason for his dismissal.
Kim took aim at officials who he deemed incompetent and "incompetent" party members responsible for the delays. He also slammed those who had "been accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness."
The public rebuke comes ahead of a significant event in North Korea's ruling Workers' Party: its Ninth Party Congress, which is expected to set out major policy goals for the country.
Experts have noted that the move mirrors past cases where Kim Jong Un publicly dismissed senior officials before executing them. In this instance, Kim appears to be using public accountability as a shock tactic to warn party officials about their performance and expectations ahead of the upcoming Party Congress.
The North Korean leader's actions underscore the ongoing struggle for power within the secretive regime. The firings of key officials may signal a deeper shakeup in the country's ruling hierarchy.