North Korea Faces Severe Flooding Crisis

 

Record-Breaking Rainfall and Emergency Declaration

Thousands of people have been stranded by record-breaking rain and flooding in North Korea over the weekend. The deluge has led leader Kim Jong Un to declare an "emergency," as reported by state media. Photographs from the Rodong Sinmun show submerged farmland and homes in the Sinuiju City and Uiju County areas, bordering China. State media reports that many people were later rescued by airlift, although these details have not been independently verified.

In an unprecedented move, Kim Jong Un has been seen directly managing the flood crisis. Photographs show him navigating through the floodwaters in a black Lexus. This level of visibility from Kim is unusual, as senior leaders typically front disaster management efforts. According to Gordon Kang, a senior North Korean analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, these images are "never-before-seen" and indicate Kim's intention to show the state's capability to provide for its people.

State media reported that more than 4,200 residents were evacuated after "over 10 planes made as many as 20 consecutive round-trip flights." This rescue effort is notably more extensive compared to responses in previous disasters. Mr. Kang attributes this increased capability to strengthened relationships with China and Russia, providing North Korea with more resources to support its rhetoric.

Flooding is a recurring issue in North Korea, exacerbated by seasonal rains, monsoons, and significant deforestation in the country's mountainous regions. These floods threaten to cripple North Korea's already limited agricultural sector, further compounding existing issues like food scarcity and poor infrastructure. Despite the country being one of the poorest globally, with an estimated GDP per capita of around $1,700 in 2015 according to the CIA World Factbook, the true extent of the economic situation remains opaque due to North Korea's secretive nature.