SAMJIYON - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sharply criticized senior officials for their handling of a major development project in Samjiyon, citing their "irresponsibility" which he claimed resulted in financial losses. This rebuke came during his recent inspection of the area, as reported by Pyongyang's state media on Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un visited the northern city of Samjiyon, which is significant as the birthplace of his father and former leader Kim Jong-il. During the visit, Kim inspected new infrastructure including roads, railways, and hotels, aimed at transforming Samjiyon into a key tourist destination. While he praised the construction workers for their efforts, he condemned the overseeing officials for serious deviations in the project's execution.
Kim's criticisms were particularly focused on the construction and inspection processes. He pointed out that the new hotels for domestic tourists were built to outdated standards and required remodeling, which he noted would impact the broader developmental plans for Samjiyon and lead to economic repercussions. He also accused the construction inspection officials of neglecting their duties by overlooking numerous flaws during the final inspections.
Further escalating his disapproval, Kim stated that the officials responsible for the inspection failures should be suspended and subjected to legal investigation for their negligence. He emphasized that these actions were necessary to align with the Workers' Party’s demands and instructions.
Despite these challenges, Kim expressed hope that the Samjiyon region would emerge as a vibrant hub for both domestic and international tourism, contributing significantly to the area's development.