North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken drastic actions against senior officials involved in the Samjiyon construction project, citing their "irresponsible" management which led to serious setbacks and financial losses. According to state media KCNA, Kim visited Samjiyon, a key project aiming to create a "socialist utopia" and a modern mountain city, which includes new residential complexes, hotels, a ski resort, and various facilities.
During his inspection, Kim praised the efforts of the construction workers but criticized the poor quality of work and financial mismanagement caused by senior officials. Specifically, Kim rebuked Ri Sun Chol, the minister of state construction control, who had allegedly neglected his duties by not visiting the site since December. Kim referred to him as "good-for-nothing" and ordered his suspension pending a formal investigation.
Additionally, Kim suspended all members of the construction inspection committee responsible for overseeing the project's progress. He also demoted a high-ranking official from the ruling Worker's Party who was implicated in the project's mismanagement. Kim pledged further scrutiny into the responsibilities of the vice premier and others involved in neglecting their duties.
KCNA reported Kim's dissatisfaction with the quality of newly-built hotels for domestic tourists, criticizing them as outdated and substandard. This criticism prompted Kim to order the remodeling of these facilities, warning that the deficiencies could jeopardize the long-term development plan for Samjiyon and result in economic losses.
Kim Jong Un's decisive actions underscore his commitment to maintaining high standards and efficiency in North Korea's ambitious construction projects, despite the challenges posed by economic constraints and international sanctions. The incident also highlights the authoritarian regime's strict control over its officials and their accountability for failures in executing state projects.
