North Korean leader reportedly blames Yang Sung-ho for ‘confusion’ at factory project as major congress looms
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has dismissed a vice-premier over troubles in a factory modernisation project, in an apparent move to tighten discipline among officials and push them to deliver greater results before a major political conference.
The upcoming ruling Workers’ party congress, the first of its kind in five years, is one of North Korea’s biggest propaganda spectacles and is intended to review past projects, establish new political and economic priorities and reshuffle officials.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday that Kim blamed Yang Sung-ho, a vice-premier in charge of the machine-building industry, for causing “unnecessary man-made confusion” in works to modernise the Ryongsong Machine Complex in the north-east.
In a speech on Monday marking the completion of the first stage of the modernisation plan at the complex, Kim said the project had suffered “not a small amount of economic loss” because of irresponsible and incompetent officials. Kim said he had already criticised Yang over related issues during a party meeting in December and watched him closely, but found that he felt no sense of responsibility at all, KCNA said.
