Kim Jong Un Publicly Rebukes North Korean Deputy PM, Admits ‘Mistake’ in Granting Responsibility

What happened: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un openly criticised and removed Deputy Prime Minister Ri Song Hak during a public address, using unusually harsh language.

• Why it matters now: Public reprimands by Kim are rare and politically significant, signalling deep dissatisfaction within the leadership.

• What changes for people: The incident points to tighter accountability and possible reshuffles across industrial and economic management.

• Who is affected: Senior officials, state-run industries, and workers linked to key industrial modernisation projects.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has delivered an unusually blunt public rebuke of a senior official, removing a deputy prime minister from office and calling his own decision to entrust him with responsibility a “mistake”.

The remarks were made during Kim’s visit to an industrial complex in Pyongyang, where he was reviewing progress on a major modernisation project. State media later confirmed that the official was dismissed shortly after the speech.

What Kim Jong Un Said

According to official statements released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim criticised the deputy prime minister for failing to deliver on assigned responsibilities related to industrial upgrades.

In a striking moment, Kim reportedly said that “an ox can pull a cart, not a goat”, implying that the official lacked the capability required for the role. He added that giving him such responsibility was his own error, an admission rarely heard from the North Korean leader.

The comments were delivered from the stage, in front of party officials and workers, amplifying their political weight.

Why This Public Rebuke Is Unusual

North Korea’s governance system typically handles failures behind closed doors.

Public criticism by Kim Jong Un serves several strategic purposes:

Signals zero tolerance for delays in priority projects

Reinforces Kim’s image as a hands-on leader

Sends a warning to other senior officials

Demonstrates urgency around economic performance

Experts note that public humiliation often precedes broader administrative changes.

Context: Pressure on North Korea’s Economy

The rebuke comes amid ongoing pressure on North Korea’s economy due to:

International sanctions

Limited foreign trade

Heavy focus on self-reliance and industrial output

Kim has repeatedly emphasised the need to modernise factories and boost domestic production, especially in sectors tied to construction materials, machinery, and energy.

Delays or inefficiencies in such projects are increasingly treated as political failures, not just technical ones.

What This Means for Governance and Security

While the incident does not signal immediate instability, it highlights:

Centralised decision-making at the highest level

Increased scrutiny of economic officials

A leadership style that blends personal accountability with public discipline

For international observers, the episode reinforces how closely Kim links economic performance to political loyalty.