North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho for what he described as poor leadership on economic development projects, according to state media reports Tuesday.
Yang, who oversaw the machinery sector and served as an alternate member of the party leadership council, was removed during an inspection of the Ryongsong Machine Complex. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Kim dismissed him “on the spot,” citing inadequate performance.
“After all, it is an ox that pulls a cart, not a goat,” Kim said during the visit, calling Yang’s appointment a mistake.
North Korea has not named a replacement.
KCNA quoted Kim as saying delays in the complex’s modernization were due to the “irresponsible, rude and incompetent” behavior of economic officials, warning that current leadership could struggle to lead broader industrial upgrades.
He also criticized party members for what he described as prolonged “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness.”
The rare public criticism comes ahead of the Ninth Party Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, which is expected to set the country’s long-term policy direction.
Last week, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported North Korea had replaced top officials responsible for Kim’s personal security, citing unspecified concerns about assassination threats. The report included leadership changes across the Guard Office of the ruling party, the Guard Department of the State Affairs Commission, and the Bodyguard Command.
Public removals of officials in North Korea, though infrequent, have precedent. In 2013, Kim’s uncle Jang Song Thaek was executed after facing allegations of plotting to overthrow the leadership. Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies told Agence France-Presse that Kim may be using public disciplinary action as a warning to other officials.
