North Korean leader rebukes officials' complacency against economic drive

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talks with officials at a dam construction site in Orangchon, North Hamgyong Province, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has chided ranking officials in charge of the economy for being "incompetent" during his on-site inspections, saying he was "speechless" at their idleness and unnecessary red-tape, according to the North's state media, Tuesday.

His remarks were the latest in a series of reprimands against ranking officials at the Cabinet and the ruling Workers' Party following inspections at factories and infrastructure construction sites, amid his shifting of focus from developing nuclear weapons to building the economy.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim recently inspected eight locations in North Hamgyong Province, including construction sites of Yombunjin Hotel and a hydroelectric power plant in Orangchon, a resort in Onpo and a bag factory in Chongjin.

Kim was furious at the delayed construction of the dam in Orangchon, as only 70 percent of the construction work has been done since it was started 17 years ago, according to the KCNA.

Upon hearing that officials in charge of the construction have not inspected the site for years, Kim lashed out at them, saying he was "speechless."

"The officials only check papers without setting up a single measure for practical and speedy economic development," he was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

Kim said such officials, who never visit construction sites, never miss a completion ceremony, warning he is paying attention to such shameless, irresponsible and incompetent attitudes.

He also lamented the attitude of key party officials in charge of the economy, saying, "How can they support the party's grand vision of economic development while working like this?"

The North Korean leader ordered the central committee of the party to take charge of the dam construction and complete it by Oct. 10 next year, saying the work "may not be done even until our children's generation" if the situation remains unchanged.

Kim was accompanied by senior members of the committee, including Hwang Pyong-so, Jo Yong-won, Oh Il-jong and Kim Yong-su.

At a bag factory that was "shabby," Kim reprimanded officials of the party's regional committee, indicating further disciplinary measures against them.

Visiting Onpo hot-spring resort, he said the bathtubs were "worse than fish tanks," and he criticized foot-dragging on the construction of the Yombunjin Hotel.

It was not the first time for the North Korean leader to rebuke ranking officials of regional and central committees of the party in charge of the economy, criticizing their complacency.

Earlier this month, Kim chided staff at textile and chemical fiber factories in Sinuiju for their outdated system, saying they were negligent in introducing improved technology and educating the workers and technicians.

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